Sia Soliola: ‘I saw Ricky Stuart as a cranky old guy’

CANBERRA Raiders forward Sia Soliola opens up about what he first thought of coach Ricky Stuart and how his views changed.

Ricky Stuart is the man, according to Sia Soliola.

THE last time Canberra were within one win of the big dance, Paul Keating was PM, Forrest Gump had just come out in cinemas, Ray Martin won his third Gold Logie, Blake Austin was a toddler and Ricky Stuart was the Raiders halfback. It was 1994.

During that season, Stuart was instrumental, leading his side to 11 wins from their last 12 games to secure their third title in six years.

Over two decades on, it’s a very similar situation at the Raiders now. Stuart is now the coach, but he’s just as influential this time around and the Raiders head into the preliminary final with 11 wins from their past 12 matches.

Stuart isn’t just the football coach at the club — he’s also a mentor and friend to the players.

One player he’s greatly impacted is forward Sia Soliola, who started his first-grade career as an 18-year-old under the coaching of Stuart at the Roosters. At first Soliola was intimidated to play under his coach, but over the years he’s started to realise how much of an impact Stuart has had on his career.

Sia Soliola celebrates after the Raiders defeated the Penrith Panthers last weekend.

“When I first started, I saw him as a cranky old guy who just told me what to do. I was intimidated at first, but there’s a purpose behind everything,” Soliola tells Big League.

“Now we’re pretty close. I’m really fortunate to have him in my life. He’s been a really good friend and a great mentor.”

After spending five years in the English Super League with St Helens, it was Stuart who lured Soliola back to the NRL. He told the New Zealand international that something special was beginning at the club and wanted him to jump on board.

Soliola has now played 38 games for the Raiders over the past two seasons and can see the benefits of his return to Australia.

“Ricky was telling me the type of players we’ve got and how there was something building at the club – I’m only just seeing that come to light now.

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“It’s all Ricky, everything that’s happening now. He spoke about when I first came to the club. He had faith in me to come back to the NRL and I’ve got a lot to be grateful for.”

Leading up to the NRL finals, Soliola took some time to watch some of the old tapes and see just how influential his mentor really was.

“I got the chance to watch the old footage on Fox, which is great. To see the influence that he [Stuart] had was amazing. After watching the old games, you respect him a lot.”

Soliola is now 30 years old and is playing in a team that has a good mix of youth and experience.

Having already played in NRL and Super League finals, the back-rower is using his experience to help some of the younger players at the club, but says everyone is doing their job and he’s enjoying the ride into the finals.

“I’m playing with some really classy players here. I’m really loving it at the moment and I’m soaking it all up. I’m happy for the club and proud of the team for getting this far,” he says.

“It’s great coming from where we started this year. I feel like I’m on the gravy train – I just keep riding it.”

It’s been more than two decades since the Raiders last reached a premiership decider, but if Ricky Stuart’s men can upset the minor premiers in Melbourne on Saturday night, they’ll have their shot to make history once again.