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The Dragons are on a mission to find the next Pacific Island superstar
Nick Walshaw The Daily Telegraph May 21, 2014 10:00PM
ST GEORGE Illawarra have launched a secret scouting mission to unearth the next Pacific Island superstar — with the club landing in Samoa on Thursday morning to conduct a unique Survivor-style series to find players.
In what is thought to be an NRL first, The Daily Telegraph can reveal six members of the Dragons High Performance Unit will arrive in Samoa on Thursday to conduct an intense scouting camp for some 400 locals. Run over four days, the gruelling program will see athletes put through two days of testing — including vertical leaps, sprints, Olympic lifts and a 2km time trial — before the top 34 are split into teams for a trial match. From that ensuing game, two players will be invited to join the Dragons for the rest of the year. Should they go well, the pair will then be offered contracts for the 2015 season.
The Dragons are hoping their bold project will unearth a future superstar like Parramatta’s Fijian flyer Semi Radradra, who in 18 months has gone from anonymous kava farmer to leading NRL try scorer. Speaking shortly before flying out with the Dragons contingent, Samoan league great Nigel Vagana described the unique ‘Survivor’ concept as “full of potential” -- especially considering the island’s internationals have included Anthony Milford, Monty Betham, Ali Lauitiiti and Ben Te’o.
Earlier this month, Samoa also confirmed its place in the 2014 Four Nations competition with an emphatic 32-16 win against Fiji. “Given this hasn’t been done before, we’re all going in a little blind,’’ Vagana said of the project. “There is talk of more than 400 locals walking in for the opening day but we really have no idea how many will show. “While the project was organised long before our recent victory over Fiji, that result has only heightened interest. So who knows how big it could be?”
Asked how the concept came about, Vagana said it all began two years ago after an approach to Dragons strength and conditioning coach Scott Campbell, who the retired centre had worked with during his own playing days at Canterbury.
“We wanted Scotty as a trainer for the Samoan side,’’ Vagana explains. “He agreed and so, as we do with all national staff at the end of the year, gifted him a trip to Samoa with his family. “And when he got there, everywhere he looked Scotty saw NRL potential. “That’s Samoa. Whether it’s the guy driving the bus, selling your lunch or working as a teller at the bank, there are all these hulking young male athletes with rugby league potential.” Certainly the Dragons could do with some.
After opening their season with three consecutive wins, the Red V have dropped six of their past seven games to now sit 13th. Worse, even the subsequent arrival last weekend of Benji Marshall, for more than $1 million, had no impact — with the Dragons smashed 36-0 by reigning wooden spooners Parramatta. Enter Samoan Survivor.
“Obviously NRL clubs have known for a long time about the quality of Pacific Islander players,’’ Vagana continued. “Only recently the Cronulla Sharks signed Mark Mexico from Papua New Guinea. But this new concept with the Dragons, it’s not only a first for the club, but the start of something bigger.
“The NRL is sending myself and another official on the trip, just to help out in whatever way we can. Apart from two young Samoans getting the opportunity of a lifetime, it’s also about growing the game of rugby league.”
The Dragons are on a mission to find the next Pacific Island superstar
Nick Walshaw The Daily Telegraph May 21, 2014 10:00PM
ST GEORGE Illawarra have launched a secret scouting mission to unearth the next Pacific Island superstar — with the club landing in Samoa on Thursday morning to conduct a unique Survivor-style series to find players.
In what is thought to be an NRL first, The Daily Telegraph can reveal six members of the Dragons High Performance Unit will arrive in Samoa on Thursday to conduct an intense scouting camp for some 400 locals. Run over four days, the gruelling program will see athletes put through two days of testing — including vertical leaps, sprints, Olympic lifts and a 2km time trial — before the top 34 are split into teams for a trial match. From that ensuing game, two players will be invited to join the Dragons for the rest of the year. Should they go well, the pair will then be offered contracts for the 2015 season.
The Dragons are hoping their bold project will unearth a future superstar like Parramatta’s Fijian flyer Semi Radradra, who in 18 months has gone from anonymous kava farmer to leading NRL try scorer. Speaking shortly before flying out with the Dragons contingent, Samoan league great Nigel Vagana described the unique ‘Survivor’ concept as “full of potential” -- especially considering the island’s internationals have included Anthony Milford, Monty Betham, Ali Lauitiiti and Ben Te’o.
Earlier this month, Samoa also confirmed its place in the 2014 Four Nations competition with an emphatic 32-16 win against Fiji. “Given this hasn’t been done before, we’re all going in a little blind,’’ Vagana said of the project. “There is talk of more than 400 locals walking in for the opening day but we really have no idea how many will show. “While the project was organised long before our recent victory over Fiji, that result has only heightened interest. So who knows how big it could be?”
Asked how the concept came about, Vagana said it all began two years ago after an approach to Dragons strength and conditioning coach Scott Campbell, who the retired centre had worked with during his own playing days at Canterbury.
“We wanted Scotty as a trainer for the Samoan side,’’ Vagana explains. “He agreed and so, as we do with all national staff at the end of the year, gifted him a trip to Samoa with his family. “And when he got there, everywhere he looked Scotty saw NRL potential. “That’s Samoa. Whether it’s the guy driving the bus, selling your lunch or working as a teller at the bank, there are all these hulking young male athletes with rugby league potential.” Certainly the Dragons could do with some.
After opening their season with three consecutive wins, the Red V have dropped six of their past seven games to now sit 13th. Worse, even the subsequent arrival last weekend of Benji Marshall, for more than $1 million, had no impact — with the Dragons smashed 36-0 by reigning wooden spooners Parramatta. Enter Samoan Survivor.
“Obviously NRL clubs have known for a long time about the quality of Pacific Islander players,’’ Vagana continued. “Only recently the Cronulla Sharks signed Mark Mexico from Papua New Guinea. But this new concept with the Dragons, it’s not only a first for the club, but the start of something bigger.
“The NRL is sending myself and another official on the trip, just to help out in whatever way we can. Apart from two young Samoans getting the opportunity of a lifetime, it’s also about growing the game of rugby league.”
