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Whether he's 145kg or 130kg, Rebels hulk Pone Fa'amausili is causing massive problems for defenders
By AAP
Hulking prop Pone Fa'amausili thanks his rugby league roots for the barnstorming runs which are making him a cult figure at the Melbourne Rebels.
The 23-year-old was on the highlights reel of the Rebels' Super Rugby AU draw with Queensland last round, with some of his barrelling runs skittling the Reds.
Fa'amausili laughed off speculation by commentators that he weighed in at 145kg, saying it was more like 130kg.
Standing 196cm, either way, he's a man mountain.
Melbourne born and bred, Fa'amausili spent time in the youth rugby league teams at the Storm, Dragons and Panthers but admitted he wasn't ready mentally to make the step up to the NRL.
He tagged along with a friend to trials for the Rebels' under-20 side, putting down back-rower or lock as his preferred position.
Selectors took once look at his size and wrote down prop and before long Fa'amausili was playing for the Australian under-20s side.
He made his Super debut a year later in 2018 and hasn't looked back.
Fa'amausili said he tried to bring some rugby league to his game, with the big hit-ups.
"I've always had running like that in me," he told AAP.
"Coming from a rugby league background that wind-up from the kick-off in league is pretty normal and I miss doing those league hit-ups."
Fa'amausili says he looks up to another Melbourne giant in Storm forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
"We see each other around AAMI, he's a genuine guy, he's definitely someone I take advice from and look up to, and I love watching him play with his big carries."
With a Samoan background, Fa'amausili has no plans to return to league, setting a goal of playing for the Wallabies.
He said a change in mindset towards training and diet this season had helped him earn more game time and a place in the Rebels starting side.
"I've had a dream since I joined the Rebels to play for the Wallabies," he said.
"I pulled on that jersey as a junior with the under-20s and I'd love to do that with the Wallabies - it would be a massive achievement for me and my family."
- Melissa Woods
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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