Joseph Pouniu’s inspirational recovery from spinal injury
Joseph Pouniu had the rugby league world at his feet until it all suddenly ended, Phil Rothfield tells the story of heartbreak, love and inspiration.
He was supposed to be rugby league’s next big thing.
A 16-year-old Year 11 student on a $450,000 NRL contract, such was the enormous potential.
Joseph Pouniu, 6ft 6in (198cm), was being talked about as another Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, the rampaging Queensland Maroons and Kangaroos forward.
Then it all suddenly ended.
A shocking accident in a trial game for the Gold Coast Titans Under 17’s development squad against the Broncos in February left Joseph with catastrophic spinal injuries.
A quadriplegic at 16, the now 17-year-old is now recovering in the spinal unit in Brisbane’s Princess Alexandra Hospital, a story in equal doses of heartbreak, love and inspiration.
THE ACCIDENT
It’s shortly before halftime. They say Joseph had been the best player on the field at Burleigh Heads.
He rushed in to tackle a Broncos player on the try line but crashed head first into a goalpost. It snapped his neck. He lay in agony, motionless on the ground.
Paramedics arrived and transferred him to the emergency ward at the hospital that has now been his home for seven months.
Joseph remembers nothing of it.
It was a life-threatening situation. Two weeks in intensive care on an oxygen machine so he could breathe.
The then Titans coach Justin Holbrook and rugby league immortal Mal Meninga were among the first visitors.
In a delicate operation surgeons removed bone from his hip to fuse and stabilise his neck.
He would survive but face a life of extraordinary challenges.
Challenges that he is now facing with the same character and resolve that were the trademarks of his football.
He has movement in both arms, although heavily restricted. A soft handshake.
Doctors say it will take two years to know the full recovery prognosis.
THE FUTURE
Joseph is still doing the final year of his education.
He does his assignments via talk to text technology on his laptop.
A teacher from his school, St Eugene College, visits him in hospital each week.
It’s grim but his enthusiasm is quite remarkable given the circumstances.
He has his tough and dark days but we find him incredibly strong.
His footy days are over but he is fiercely determined to have a role in rugby league in some capacity.
Matty Johns is encouraging him to do coaching courses.
His manager, Simon Mammino, who has been a tower of strength and support, wants him to work in his business in recruitment as a talent scout. There will be a job at the Titans too.
The youngster’s resilience is a lesson to us all.
He hasn’t ruled out playing competitive sport, maybe wheelchair rugby or even the Paralympics.
First off he will spend six months on the Gold Coast at Making Strides, the world class facility for injury rehab that Alex McKinnon once used.
Mum and dad have just purchased the family’s first home in Brisbane.
It will be renovated while Joseph is on the Gold Coast to suit his needs for when he can return home.
As we chat for the interview, not once did he complain of his predicament.
“Please just thank everyone for the support and the prayers,” he says, “It’s meant so much.”
THE FAMILY
We spend two hours with Joseph, his mum Seta, dad Levi, brother Brian and their dogs Rocky and Pumba at the hospital.
You could not meet a tighter, more loving and beautiful family. And so humble.
Brian, 15, is a good footy player too. Big and strong like Joseph. He’s signed at the Redcliffe Dolphins but gave up his footy because of the trauma and heartbreak around his brother’s injury.
For weeks he slept at the hospital right next to Joseph’s bed.
He showered him, fed him, dressed him, cleaned up after him 24/7.
Brian’s now gone back to the Dolphins and is playing footy again.
It’s what Joseph wanted. He’ll devote his career to his big brother.
Seta has had to give up her job to support Joseph. She rents a $800-a-week studio apartment near to the hospital to care for her son every single day.
It’s not easy for a struggling family.
Joseph is so tall he can’t fit into a maxi-cab for family outings.
They hire a van for each day trip, sometimes to the footy to watch his beloved Titans.
His room in the hospital is covered in Titans paraphernalia.
Dad Levi, an electrician and fridge repairer, works six days a week to pay the mounting bills.
They are so grateful for the support.
“Our heartfelt thanks to the many, many people who have reached out to our family, sent prayers and messages and visited Joe in the hospital,” Sena said.
Really want to raise awareness for Joseph Pouniu. The captain of Gold Coast Titans “Future Titans†u17 team made contact with the goal post during a trial game 3 weeks ago, resulting in neck fractures & a devastating spinal injury. Any help appreciated!https://t.co/VUY0tUsPl1pic.twitter.com/MBU6iGrLZW
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) February 17, 2023
THE SUPPORT
This boy had so much ability as a footballer. Old super coach Wayne Bennett tried so hard to sign him at the Dolphins before he went for the Gold Coast Titans instead.
The Titans, led by owners Rebecca Frizelle and Darryl Kelly, have been outstanding. So too chairman Denis Watt.
His contract has been paid out in full (all $450,000) despite tragically never wearing the jersey in NRL.
Frizelle and Kelly have generously, but very privately, donated their own money as well.
The house purchase would not have been possible without their assistance.
The family needs every bit of help they can get.
Because Joseph was born in New Zealand and is not an Australian citizen, he does not qualify for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
It could take two years to get sorted.
There is a huge fundraiser planned in Brisbane on August 25 to help raise much needed funds.
Commission boss Peter V’landys is all over it. The NRL has handed over their Gambaro Hotel for the day. They are paying for all food and beverages.
Tables have sold out at $5000 a pop.
It will be a who’s who of rugby league – Wayne Bennett, Cameron Smith, Mal Meninga, Gorden Tallis, Matty Johns, V’landys and Ray Hadley, who will run the auction.
Big Tino and all the Titans boys will be there too.
Every penny will go to Joseph.
Tallis and Johns have been regular visitors along with Rebecca Frizelle.
They are blown away by Joseph’s courage.
“I’ve never met a nicer, nor a more respectful person,” Johns said, “Honestly, his bravery and his resilience is astounding.”
And Tallis: “In the most challenging time of his life, this young man’s smile brightens my world.”
A number of NRL chairmen, Nick Politis (Roosters), Karl Morris (Broncos), Sean McElduff (Eels), Lee Hagipantelis (Wests Tigers) and Andrew Lancaster (Dragons) have thrown in $10,000 to buy virtual tables for the lunch.
Sky News host Paul Murray is doing a live show from the Gold Coast on the night before the function to drive more fundraising awareness.
Our readers can help out too.
There is a donation page at set up at Joseph’s Australian Sports Foundation fund HERE.
He is very much deserving of our help.
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