European odyssey: The ultimate Lost Titan Billy Ngawini

He’s the one-game Titan and self-confessed league novice who went on to represent Italy in rugby union and forge a career in Europe.

HE’S the one-game Titan and self-confessed league novice who went on to represent Italy in rugby union and forge a career in Europe.

Billy Ngawini owns one of the most remarkable stories of all former Gold Coast NRL players, with the halfback and hooker undergoing a mighty footy facelift over the years.

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Now 38, Auckland-born Ngawini played three NRL games for the Bulldogs in 2006 – essentially his formative years in the code – before the ultimate cameo at the Titans in 2008.

This sole top grade appearance – a bench start in a 28-12 Round 26 loss to Wests Tigers – came just as he had sorted his future.

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Billy Ngawini in 2008.

Ngawini would rejoin his first sporting love, linking with ill-fated Queensland Premier Rugby side Gold Coast Breakers before leaving for French union in 2009.

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That stint with Nice, who also became defunct in 2012, was followed by a move to Irish powerhouse Leinster, then coached by current Wallabies boss Michael Cheika.

A further move was made to Italy’s Rugby Club I Cavalieri Prato (2010-2013) and then Rugby Rovigo Delta (2013-2019).

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It was a rapid-fire career jump that Ngawini still shakes his head over.

“I was at the Canterbury Bulldogs and Gary Freeman, who has been a big advocate of my league career, felt that maybe it was a good time to move as I wasn’t getting game time,” he said from Europe.

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Billy Ngawini playing for Estra I Cavalieri Prato in 2012. Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

“(My one game at the Titans) was a bittersweet moment as I had already made up my mind to leave league. However, to finally play with the lads, after all the hard yards I had put in, was great.

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“I don’t regret anything from that time. I’m thankful for my time there. It made me into a better player and person. I just wished I had stayed for another year or two.

“But I had been getting offers from overseas rugby clubs and it just felt like the right time.”

Ngawini insists his love of league remains strong.

“I came from union and I only played five years of league, making my first grade debut in my third year of playing the code,” he said.

“When I started to learn the game properly I got hooked. I was under the impression I was getting too old so when I had clubs from union offering money and a longer professional life I jumped at it.”

Not that the career switch hasn’t paid off.

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“My wife (Amber) is Irish and we were holidaying in Ireland at her family home with my seven-week-old son when an opportunity to play with Leinster came about,” he said.

“Michael Cheika saw I could be of use for them. I was to sign with the club if my Irish passport could be processed in time for 2009 season. Unfortunately, the process ended taking too long so after a few months I left the club for France. I played a season there then signed for a club in Italy.

“My life in Italy and France was amazing. Me and wife wanted to spend as much of our time with our kids travelling and experiencing all the things we couldn’t do being based in the southern hemisphere.”

Ngawini ultimately quaified for Italy qualifying through residency and continues to power on in the code well into his 30s.

“The work ethic I learnt while playing league really helped with my career and the longevity of it,” he said.

“I also still have a drive to play and compete which keeps me interested. Also getting paid to do it helps also.”

As for the NRL: “I do keep tabs on how the Titans are going and also how my ex-teammates are.

“I’ve crossed paths with a few of guys in other codes; Shannon Walker with the Australian sevens and Princey (Scott Prince) with touch footy.

“Me and Princey played against each other at this year’s touch rugby World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.

“I was player coach for Ireland and he was playing for Australia. I would like to come back and take my kids to a game of NRL.”