‘I went into my shell’: Siua Wong recaptures hunger for game after taking things for granted early on

Siua Wong was supposed to be the next big thing after bursting onto the scene in 2023, but it took some honest words from Trent Robinson to get him firing again.

Siua Wong was on the path to greatness after just a handful of games, but the young Roosters forward fell out of favour last year and concedes he didn’t handle his demotion well, thinking he was in no rush to win back his spot.

But after falling in love with NFL and reading up on some advice from a legendary college football coach, he’s changed his outlook on what he needs to do to turn that potential into something special.

Wong will turn 22 in a couple of weeks and his best footy is still ahead of him, but he’s realised that he can’t waste his athletic prime after he was surprisingly dropped after two rounds last year and didn’t start another NRL match.

It was a stunning move given Wong’s incredible breakout 2023 season where he earnt a starting spot and starred in the first week of the finals with so many experienced teammates unavailable.

And while he kept that spot in the back row to start 2024, Wong only added seven more matches – all of them off the bench – with Roosters coach Trent Robinson sending him back to reserve grade even though he’d just signed a new deal at the end of 2023.

Siua Wong had a terrific 2023 and scored a crucial try in his first finals game. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“The best thing that I’ve realised is your jersey isn’t just given to you. You’ve got to earn it every week,” he said.

“That’s something I apply to my mentality each week at training; that the jersey isn’t mine and I’ve got to work for it each week. That’s something I’ve tried to apply this year and not get complacent with the position I’m in and make the most of every opportunity I get.

“I went into my shell a bit when I did get dropped originally in round 2 last year. I had this excuse, I’ve signed for another two years so I thought ‘my time will come’.

“But over the course of the year I wanted to make that jersey mine and wanted to be in the first-grade team. This year I’ve come in with the mentality to go after it a bit more.

“It’s taken me a bit out of my comfort zone, but that’s the only way you’re going to grow and become better, so hopefully I can develop more this year.”

Injuries have provided Wong with an opportunity to start the season, with the international forward making the most of starts in all three games.

Wong has won back his starting spot to begin 2025. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

He’s had the odd lapse in concentration defensively, but he was a beast against the Warriors with 46 tackles.

Wong has appreciated Robinson’s honesty over the past year, with the talented forward also becoming more involved with the team’s NFL Fantasy league that has helped him learn new things from legendary voices like former Alabama college coach Nick Saban.

“Robbo is an honest man and he’ll give you credit where credit’s due and there were some players last year that earned their jersey more than I did,” Wong said.

“That’s something I have to reflect on and this year I had to come in with the mentality to go after it and not get comfortable being in reserve grade because I believe I’m a first grader and I’ve got to prove that every week.

“Robbo is honest, he’s not going to sugar-coat anything. Once you’re in the comfort zone, it’s easier to stay there, so he’ll tell you the truth and that’s something for me to take in.

“There’s a quote that I learned from NFL players that were coached by Nick Saban that said ‘don’t listen to how he’s saying it, listen to what he’s saying’, so I think that’s something I’ve had to take in as well.”