NRL news: Roosters rookie Xavier Va’a slipped under guard of Brisbane Broncos

On the cusp of his NRL debut with the Roosters, the highly touted Xavier Va’a is pretty tidy with his hands too when laced up. As his father reveals, the list of knockbacks will blow your mind.

The father of one of rugby league’s most feared teenage forwards has lifted the lid on why offers to fight some of the NRL’s biggest stars never got off the ground.

And it’s a heavyweight list of knockbacks that includes the likes of Latrell Mitchell, Payne Haas, Tevita Pangai and Junior Paulo.

Paul Va’a also conceded some of the social media backlash directed at his eldest son Xavier Va'a, the current Queensland under-19s captain, has also left a “sour” taste, after he was basically accused of not showing enough respect.

The proud dad maintains because of that the family would think twice if anyone “rings up again asking for one of these circus fights”.

What those people should understand is that Xavier is also a former Queensland, Australian and Golden Gloves champion who was targeting the Youth World Championships in 2019 before Covid struck.

He also regularly sparred Justis Huni and Jai Opetaia over the years, while winning Paul Gallen’s respect when he stepped up as a 17-year-old against the former NSW captain.

Xavier Va’a is one of rugby league’s next big things. Picture: Supplied

But that’s just one part of Xavier’s amazing story that started out with 3am road runs of up to 15kms from the time he was still in primary school, to now being on the cusp of making his NRL debut after slipping under the guard of the Brisbane Broncos.

Throw in the fact Xavier is also studying clinical psychology at university, while his younger brother De La Salle (who is also a towering prop signed by the Roosters) wants to be a doctor, just like his mother.

It all has the makings of one of the most astonishing rookie rugby league stories you will read about.

FROM THE BRONCOS TO BONDI

With Xavier now being groomed to take over from Jared Waerea-Hargreaves as a Roosters’ long-term enforcer, his father gave an amazing insight into what has been an incredible journey that delivered his three giant boys to Bondi after the Broncos showed a lack of interest.

While Xavier, who just turned 19, is now regarded as one of the NRL’s most exceptional emerging forwards, 17-year-old De La Salle is already bigger than his 110kg/193cm brother, and is also a former state, national and Golden Gloves boxing champ.

He has also now moved out of the family home to take up camp living with his brother in Sydney as part of the Roosters’ accommodation facilities, while continuing his high school studies at Marcellin College, Randwick.

Xavier Va'a is being groomed to take over from Jared Waerea-Hargreaves as a Roosters’ long-term enforcer. Picture: Getty Images

TALENT EXTENDS TO THE CLASSROOM

What makes their story even more impressive is that both boys also have a strong commitment to their education, with Xavier studying clinical psychology at the Australian Catholic University, while De La Salle wants to pursue medicine like his mum, Alma, who is a general practitioner.

The youngest boy Aloysius, 14, is also trialling with the Roosters this summer for the junior rep sides, while daughter Novena, 12, is a gifted basketballer.

‘IT TURNED A BIT SOUR’

Paul was at pains to point out that Xavier never once tried to talk himself up as some sort of pugilistic powerhouse.

But given his boxing background he was also confident he could take care of himself.

“I am his dad and I worry about every spar,” Paul explained.

“But the boys have always stepped up in age and weight and experience.”

But when Xavier’s name started getting thrown up as a potential opponent for some of the big name NRL stars chasing a fight, it was the young bloke’s reputation that copped a bit of a battering on social media – all because he put his hand up to fight anyone.

“Since this footy/boxing thing got traction with Gal, all these current superstars were saying they were keen to have a fight,” Paul continued.

Mitchell, Pangai, Haas and Paulo were all mentioned at one point or another.

“I think they were struggling to get a fight and Xavier’s name would get thrown up and we would always say ‘yes’,” Paul said.

“But it turned a bit sour when it was sort of portrayed, excuse my language, but it was like: ‘The little shit. Who does he think he is trying to take on these big superstars?

“It was nothing like that.

“The way the boys saw it, it was a boxing match. It is nothing personal.

“You could have said anyone’s name, Xavier just said ‘yes’ (to fight).

“But then it sort of died and nothing came of it.

“We just thought it was all part of the footy/boxing circus.”

Xavier Va’a started getting thrown up as a potential opponent for some of the big name NRL stars chasing a fight. Picture: Supplied

Paul had also heard second-hand through boxing circles that his son’s resume was the real issue why the fights never took place.

“As their father I wasn’t too happy about it,” he added.

“But I thought, geez, anyone who rings up again asking for one of these circus fights I will think twice about it.”

THE 3AM ROAD RUNS

The thing about these boys is that hard work and respect were hammered into their DNA from a very young age.

Starting with 3am road runs of between 10 and 15kms three times a week from when Xavier was just 10 and De La Salle 8.

The alarm would go off, and Xavier and De La Salle would throw on their shoes and off they’d go pounding the pavement.

No complaining, no excuses.

On top of that they would train morning and night in the gym honing their boxing skills, with Sunday a rest day.

“What’s the saying? Everyone wants to get to heaven but nobody wants to die,” Paul joked.

“I sort of drilled that into them from a young age.

“You’ve got to work hard for what you want, and if what you want is big, mate, you’ve got to work big.”

And the boys did just that, often playing footy in the morning and chasing a boxing match in the afternoon.

But when they couldn’t find a fight, they’d spar any takers.

Sydney Roosters' youngster Xavier Va'a (left) and Paul Gallen after sparring.

Paul said age was pretty much irrelevant when trying to source an opponent.

Which is why when the big-name NRL stars were thrown up, Xavier didn’t flinch.

Asked how many fights the boys had over the years, Paul said: “I can’t remember off hand, but it was bloody hard getting them opponents.

“I remember Xavier was a 10-year-old and he fought an 18-year-old and he won that one.

“Sal was similar. He was eight and he jumped in the ring with a kid who went to the World Champs who is a pro now. I think that kid was 15.

“I am not trying to big note or anything.

“But this was not pitter patter. This was fair dinkum, full on amateur sparring.

“My point is they understand the hard work.

“That is a big part of the battle.

“The talent stuff is fickle. There is plenty of less talented players who have had great careers because they have been willing to work harder.”

ROOSTERS PRIORITY OVER BOXING

While the boys love boxing, Paul said giving the Roosters their full commitment was their priority.

“Look, at the moment footy is number one,” Paul said.

“They will pay the right respect to achieve that goal.

“They are not getting ahead of themselves in that regard.

“We want them to stay focused on what is in front of them.

“Boxing will take a back seat.

“But if there is an opportunity somewhere and somehow in amongst what is happening with them at the moment they’d love to have a go.”

He said he’d been totally impressed with the way the Roosters are developing his sons while living away from home.

“As far as the footy side goes, you’ve got people like Boyd Cordner, Mitch Aubusson, Jake Friend, Matt King. All these guys that did something in the game,” Paul continued.

“And then overseeing and chiming in when he has to is a guy with the credentials of Daniel Anderson (head of recruitment) in amongst Robbo and co.

“All these people around them are steering them in the right direction, if they are willing to do the work.

“You are at the bottom of a very long ladder and nothing is a guarantee in this life.”

Originally published as NRL news: Roosters rookie Xavier Va’a slipped under guard of Brisbane Broncos