Kieran Foran’s stepson Phoenix Steinwede wins Titans train-and-trial contract after tragic death of brother
After tragedy struck his family, Phoenix Steinwede found new purpose through his late brother’s spirit and the father figure who happens to be rugby league legend. He now gets a second chance to realise his NRL dream.
The Titans have handed a lifeline to the stepson of retired NRL legend Kieran Foran as Gold Coast coach Josh Hannay searches for a back row solution following David Fifita’s departure.
Former Roosters junior Phoenix Steinwede has signed a train-and-trial deal with the Titans as he continues his quest for a breakthrough NRL debut.
Steinwede, 23, is the son of Foran’s wife Karina.
Foran, 35, has spent the past few years mentoring Steinwede, who captained the Roosters’ Jersey Flegg team before deciding to follow his family to the Gold Coast, where Foran finished his 318-game NRL career this year.
Steinwede said he had a unique relationship with Foran.
“It was funny (when he came on the scene). Growing up I was always into union and I didn’t really watch league much,” he said.
“I knew about him and then I met him. You forget they’re real people. I learned pretty quickly how selfless he was and it was a bit of a no-brainer for mum given the person he is.
“I look at him as a father figure, but the way he is in my corner and the way he goes about life for us kids, he sort of feels like your best mate.
“He’s been second to none for my development in life, mostly.
“In footy, I’ve seen what he’s been able to get through and he’s always in my ear saying I can do anything as long as I work hard enough.
“He’s in my corner after every game, every session, he’s just so eager and helpful.”
Foran and Steinwede have grown especially close over the past two years following the tragic death of aspiring professional surfer Logan Steinwede in 2023.
Logan was also Karina’s son and Phoenix’s younger brother, the two growing up together surfing daily on NSW’s Central Coast.
The sudden death of Logan shattered the family and Phoenix vowed to chase his NRL dream harder in memory of his brother.
“Logan died on the sixth of November and I was starting my first NRL pre-season with the Roosters on the seventh,” Phoenix said.
“l spoke to ‘Robbo’ (coach Trent Robinson) at the Roosters and he said take as long as I need off but I rolled in a couple of days later.
“Initially it was a distraction that gave me a bit of purpose and something to work for instead of sitting around asking myself why.
“It was definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever been through and the hardest I’ve ever had to do but I think I found something in myself because of it.
“The biggest thing for me was finding purpose in myself and other people, that realisation of how important and delicate everything is.
“I was getting to that stage of just breezing through and expecting everything to happen.
“Once I realised how quickly it can be taken and how delicate life is, it gave me an appreciation for what’s around me and the people, the relationships I have.
“It gave me a purpose and something to strive for, especially being able to do it for myself and him.
“I know he would want it for me instead of me sitting around trying to understand why.”
Steinwede played six Hostplus Cup games for Tweed Heads last year before suffering a serious knee injury which ended his season.
The Titans have given him a chance to prove himself this pre-season and Hannay is on the hunt for back row depth following Fifita’s move to South Sydney.
In the final year of studying a cyber security and counter-terrorism degree, Steinwede said he had a renewed vigour to make it in the NRL.
“There were obviously doubts but I was pretty content leaving the Roosters that there was nothing down there for me and my best opportunity was up here through ‘Foz’ (Foran) and the Titans,” he said.
“It would mean so much to play NRL, especially for Logan. To do it for him would mean the world.
“The people around me, Kieran, Mum, my girlfriend, they’ve wanted it so much for me.
“I feel like I’ve worked so hard for so long, it would mean everything to be able to put the jersey on and make a good career out of it.
“I had a good conversation with Josh and he’s all about hard work. He said just be professional, roll in, work hard every day and you’ll see results.
“I’m just putting my head down, working as hard as I can and making the best connections I can.”
To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register
Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout