Wests Tigers lock in prop to keep Fainu brothers together
Wests Tigers have signed promising forward Sione Fainu on a three-year deal worth $1.1 million, which will go a big step towards ensuring their talented brethren also remain at the club.
Fainu, whose contract expires at the end of the year, has agreed to an extension that will keep him at Concord until the end of 2029. This will take the 24-year-old off the market at a time when the Perth Bears are trying to build their squad ahead of the NRL season starting in 2027.
Sione Fainu will remain a Tiger.Credit: Getty Images
The Tigers hope Fainu’s brothers Latu and Samuela will join Sione in the long term.
Just a year after completing his development contract, Sione Fainu played all 24 games for the Tigers last season, taking his NRL tally total to 36.
The brothers achieved their goal of playing together in first grade and all three scored a try in last year’s win over the Roosters.
Latu Fainu, who competes with Adam Doueihi to become Jarome Luai’s partner in the halves, has a contract until 2027, like Samuela.
The Fainu sisters (from left to right) Sione, Samuela and Latu. Latu will make his NRL debut alongside Samuela on Saturday.Credit: Western Tigers
Manase, the tomboyish former prostitute who is the fourth football player in the family, will be released later this year after serving time for stabbing a youth worker at a Mormon church dance.
Sione, Samuela and Latu had previously made it clear that they wanted to finish their careers playing together. The Tigers are expected to move on Samuela and Latu before they become free agents on Nov. 1.
