He’s near the top of the list of the “rugby league nice-guy” files, winner of the prestigious 2019 Ken Stephen Medal for his commitment to off-field community projects and is often referred to in the media as the Canberra Raiders’ “spiritual leader”. For Iosia Soliola, or Sia as he’s widely known, who draws similarities between the movie, Once Were Warriors, and his own childhood growing up in Central Auckland with his extended Samoan family, empathy is a key attribute. In this episode, Sia opens up about the experience of being “a conservative Pacific Islander kid” and the culture shift of relocating to Australia to make his first grade debut with the Sydney Roosters at just 18 years of age, being consumed by guilt over bringing his parents to Australia, winning the 2014 Super League grand final with St Helen’s, his faux pas when meeting one of league’s immortals, reconnecting with his culture and identity, THAT trip back from Townsville, his mum’s joy when Sia captained the Samoan side in the 2013 World Cup — and how his dad had different sporting plans for this all-round talented athlete.
Love you Sia Soliola😘💚💚💚
You’re my humble nephew just like your Dad(my brother)😘💚🥰
Always follow your game/team from afar👌👍
Happy Father’s Day😘💚😘💚
Always, aunt Lopa and the rest of the Harold clan 😘💚😘💚😘💚💚
Thank you for taking the time to comment, Nuulopa. What a great man Iosia is. 🙂
His a very good boy when he was young I’m very proud of him His a respectable boy Thank’s Iosia and keep up the good work May God Bless you and your Family
Thank you, Lio. Hope you enjoyed the podcast.