Why forward Sia Soliola is one of Canberra’s most important players, on and off the field

As Sia Soliola prepares to play his 100th game for Canberra, one of the club’s biggest stars has revealed the veteran toughman is still one of the Raiders most important players.

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His teammates call him ‘uncle’ but the lighthearted nickname has as much to do with Sia Soliola’s stature as it does his age.

Raiders forward Josh Papalii told The Saturday Telegraph the recruitment of Soliola, 32, has been one of the most important signings for the club in recent years.

“He has been a player the club needed, Sia is so important to everything we do,” he said.

“Everyone calls him ‘uncle’ around the place because he is a bit older than everyone else. He’s the wise one in the group.

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Soliola is one of Canberra’s leaders. Picture by Kym Smith.

“What Sia is like off the field definitely shines through on the field for the Raiders. He’s always the first one to turn up and the last one to leave. If any of the other players leaves rubbish, anywhere we might be, then uncle stays behind and cleans it all up. That’s the kind of person he is.”

After five seasons with St Helens in the English Super League, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart lured the former New Zealand international to the nation’s capital back in 2015.

Since then Soliola, has developed into a cornerstone in Stuart’s forward pack on the field and a genuine leader and father figure off the field.

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The normally polite Soliola isn’t afraid to pull his younger teammates in line when needed, especially Queensland forward Papalii.

“It always seems to be me to be honest he’s telling off,” Papalii said with a laugh.

“I try to bring a different type of fun to the group and I like to laugh a lot. Sia is always on my back about laughing at the right time.

“Or if things get tough at training, I tend to try and muck around but he’s there clipping me over the ears telling me ‘C’mon Papa when need to concentrate’.”

Soliola, will play his 100th game for the Raiders Sunday afternoon against Penrith at Panthers Stadium.