Sam Stonestreet carries his deep Cronulla Sharks roots to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas

From the age of four, Sam Stonestreet would carry an autograph book to every Sharks game. Now, through an untimely injury, the Cronulla local will represent his team on rugby league’s biggest stage.

Sam Stonestreet has been a Sharks fan since day one.

There’s few things better in rugby league than a local junior playing NRL for his boyhood club.

Sharks winger Sam Stonestreet is about to go one better.

From sitting on the hill at Shark Park as a four-year-old, Stonestreet will run out in front of 45,000 fans at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

If anything comes of the NRL’s US odyssey, surely it’s stories like this.

Stonestreet, the kid from De La Salle Caringbah, who would carry an autograph book to every Sharks game, is now the man that all those little kids watching at home on Fox Sports, can now aspire to be.

Stonestreet, 22, will make his sixth NRL appearance for Cronulla against Penrith on Sunday, following the injury omission of tryscorer Sione Katoa.

Katoa will be sidelined for the next four to five months after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction.

It has provided Stonestreet with his chance to call the Sharks right wing home for as long as he makes it his own.

“I’m going to take it with both hands and give my best,’’ Stonestreet said.

“I’m just grateful to have this opportunity.

A young Sam Stonestreet in Sharks kit at an Australia-Great Britain Test match. Picture: Supplied

“Obviously I feel for poor ‘Si’ (Sione Katoa), he deserves to be here and he’s been a big role model for me.

“So I want to get the job done for him.

“Being a boy from the Shire, it gives me nothing but pride to pull on the Sharks jersey in Las Vegas.

“I worked hard this pre-season, like always, so that I’m always ready for my opportunity and it’s come now.’’

Having scored eight tries in five games for the Sharks, Stonestreet is no stranger in backing his ability.

“It’s just another game at the end of the day, it might be a bit faster. Getting into the groove of it, week in and week out will help me further,’’ Stonestreet said.

“They’re the best team, they’re the benchmark and I’ve always seen myself as a first grade player so obviously I’ll get to test myself and see where I’m at.’’

Without a contract beyond 2025, Stonestreet also has the chance to showcase his value, believing that playing outside experienced centre Jesse Ramien, would only aid his cause.

“I’m going to get out there and let my footy do the talking,’’ Stonestreet said.

“He’s been huge for me. He’s calm and collected, a bit like myself.

Homegrown Cronulla talent Sam Stonestreet training at the University of Southern California. Picture: Cronulla Sharks/Jess Ciccia

Stonestreet decked out in Sharks gear. Picture: Supplied

“He leads by his actions and I follow him, so he’s really good for me.’’

Stonestreet’s selection was given a glowing endorsement by teammate Blayke Brailey.

“He’s definitely ready,’’ Brailey said.

“I think he showed last year that he’s an NRL player. He’s fast, strong and has done the job for us on the wing before.

“I have no doubt he’s going to put his best foot forward and play really well for us.

“It’s obviously unfortunate with Sione going down, but for him to step up and play in Las Vegas, it’s going to be a great story for him and a great moment for us all to be a part of that.

“I’m really happy for him.’’

Originally published as Sam Stonestreet carries his deep Cronulla Sharks roots to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas