Footage of a junior Parramatta footballer scoring a runaway try has become an internet sensation after clocking more than 135 million views worldwide.
Viliotu Masila, in a match for the Merrylands Rams under-18s side, scored a destructive length-of-the-field try that has garnered worldwide attention. The clip shows Masila, taking the opening hit-up of the match, powering past 10 would-be defenders on a memorable run to the line.
His 100-metre journey was originally viewed seven million times on the Parramatta Eels’ official TikTok page last year, reaching accounts in the USA, United Kingdom, France and elsewhere.
It was also reposted by YouTube, Instagram and X [formerly Twitter] accounts, taking its total viewership past the 135 million mark. Masila picked up around 100 million views and two million likes on YouTube alone, in a repost by Highlight Reel.
Parramatta star Dylan Brown was taken aback after viewing the footage.
“That is amazing, that is very cool,” said Brown, who said Masila’s run was reminiscent of those from former South Sydney lower-grade forward Jordan Mailata before he cracked the NFL.
Dylan Brown (not pictured viewing Masila’s remarkable run).Credit: Getty
“He looks very hard to handle, hopefully he has a bright future.”
Masila, now 18, is taking all of the attention in his stride.
“I wasn’t really expecting my try to get posted,” Masila said after accepting the 2023 try-of-the-year gong at the Parramatta Junior League’s 2023 awards night.
“It was kinda crazy to see my try get so many views on TikTok and stuff. [My teammates] were just cracking jokes. It’s crazy seeing stuff like that, especially with Parra making videos for juniors, it’s pretty cool.”
Asked about the reaction he received after his schoolmates watched the clip, he said: “It was a normal day … obviously people went up to me. It makes me all shy.”
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