‘I grew straight away’: Tigers star opens up on $1m history, contract talks... and replacing Luai

Wests Tigers young gun Latu Fainu is preparing for the biggest opportunity of his NRL career in the coming months, with the 21-year-old set to inherit Jarome Luai's No. 6 jersey next season.

Gallen v Asofa-Solomona | Friday November 6 from 7pm AEDT | Australian sporting icon and crossover boxing king Paul Gallen returns to the ring to face his biggest opponent yet, Nelson 'Big Nasty' Asofa-Solomona. | Order now on Kayo Sports.

After years of debilitating injury setbacks, Fainu is determined to finally put his best foot forward and cement himself as a regular NRL starter, with the chance to become the Tigers' long-term five-eighth within reach.

With his contract set to expire at the end of the 2027 season, the rising star has plenty to play for and has opened up about his ability, hopes of extending, and the family dream he is desperate to fulfil with his four older brothers.

He also reflects on the pressure of signing a record-breaking contract at 16 and the challenges he has faced with injuries.

THE HYPE, THE HUDLES AND THE BIG WAIT

Having long been viewed as one of the most exciting young prospects, Fainu has seen expectations placed on his shoulder from a young age.

Months after celebrating his 16th birthday, Fainu signed a record-breaking four-year contract with the Manly Sea Eagles worth more than $1 million which saw him become the highest-paid player yet to reach the NRL at the time.

The youngest of four brothers, he was fortunate to have family member who had already experienced the demands of first-grade and could help guide his development.

This saw the Tongan international reveal he never felt the pressure of growing up as rugby league's 'Next Big Thing'.

"I kind of grew straight away," Fainu told foxsports.com.au.

"Having my brother already in the NRL gave me a sort of learning curve and was able to learn from there and see what they've done in the NRL.

"I'm lucky enough that I'm the youngest so I can learn off them."

Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!

In particular, he credits older brother Manase who played a significant role in shaping his development as a playmaker.

Although he featured in the NRL as a dummy-half, the former international was able to pass on lessons to his younger brother which he had learned during his time at Manly under Daly Cherry-Evans.

"He's been a massive influence to me," he continued.

"Growing up as a half he really showed me what Chez [Daly Cherry-Evans] sort of taught him in the Manly system and he brought it to me."

While his teenage years were filled with promise and saw him catch the attention of multiple teams including the Dolphins, Eels and Warriors, Fainu's progression into the NRL has been constantly interrupted by a frustrating run of injuries.

Since making his NRL debut in 2024, he has only manger 36 appearances, with repeated injury setbacks making it difficult to build consistency and establish himself as a regular starter for the Tigers.

"It's sort of hard but I'm not really thinking about it. It's all head noise at the same time," Fainu said.

"I'm lucky enough that I've got great people alongside me, people who really back me.

"You always want to go back but I think taking it serious in rehab and everything and doing those little extras really can't hurt."

CAN HE BECOME LUAI'S REPLACEMENT?

While Fainu has been limited in time on the field since his debut, he is set to get his first crack at the prestigious Tigers No. 6 jersey next season following Jarome Luai's departure.

It presents a significant opportunity for the 20-year-old to finally establish himself as a regular first-grader and show why he is regarded as one of the game's brightest young playmaking talents.

Although he will face in-house competition from Jake Averillo and Javon Andrews to partner Adam Doueihi in the halves, Fainu shapes as the leading contender for the vacant five-eighth position if he can put his injury trouble behind him.

Admitting it is his long-term goal to make the jersey his own, Tongan teammate Isaiya Katoa has no doubts about his ability and has backed him to become a regular starter in the NRL.

"100 per cent (he can be a starting five-eighth week in, week out) if he gets the opportunity to," the Dolphins skipper said.

"I remember speaking to him about coming into this camp, that he probably needs an opportunity to go and showcase how good he is as a five-eighth.

"Honestly, he can be one of the most damaging five-eighths in the game and I don't think he's had an opportunity yet to kind of showcase that.

"He's had a pretty tough couple of years with injuries. I'm sure within the coming future and the coming years that he'll definitely get that opportunity."

Katoa has known the former Under-19s NSW Blues representative since his teenage years, with the pair first sharing the field in an international Test against England back in 2023, before the Tigers youngster had even made his first-grade debut.

Having watched his development from a young age, Katoa revealed their relationship has continued to grow over the years, with the pair regularly bouncing ideas off each other and looking for ways to improve their games.

"I guess in a sense we both learn off each other. It's not about me trying to teach him everything. He's teaching me things that he can see differently to what I'm seeing," Katoa added.

"In a sense we're not arrogant (but) we're trying to teach each other stuff and it's a real open learning space here where we're all just encouraging each other to get better and learn off each other."

WILL FAINU BE AT THE TIGERS BEYOND 2027?

As Fainu focuses on winning the World Cup with Tonga and earning the vacant No.6 jersey at the Tigers, his long-term future at the club is another important piece of the puzzle.

One of nine players coming off-contract - alongside the likes of Fonua Pole and Jock Madden - at the end of next year's campaign, Fainu is currently free to speak with rival clubs and explore his options as he weighs up his next move.

However, the 21-year-old has made no secret of his desire to remain at the Tigers, particularly given the prospect of continuing to play alongside his brother Samuela and Siona who are locked in on long-term deals.

While Fainu confirmed talks with the Tigers have yet to get underway, he is keen to extend with the side sooner rather than later.

Foxsports.com.au understands the Tigers are also keen to retain him, although the value of his next contract will likely hinge on his ability to overcome his injury troubles and stay fit.

"I hope so. I want to stay at the Tigers," he said.

"Playing alongside my brothers, it's always a dream come true, so hopefully I re-sign and we'll see what happens."

He's also eagerly anticipating one day sharing the NRL field with his older brother, Manase.

"It'll be massive. I can't wait for the day, but hopefully everything goes through," Latu added.

After spending more than four years in prison having been found guilty of stabbing a Mormon youth leader at a church dance in 2019, Manase officially became a free man last Friday as he walked out of Parklea Correctional Centre.

Now, the former dummy-half wants to return to professional rugby league and add to the 34 matches he played for the Manly Sea Eagles between the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

Earlier this year, reports linked him to a sensational lifeline to the Tigers, but the NRL will still need to register a contract for him.

"I just want them to know that I'm capable of playing footy again," he told The Sydney Morning Herald last week.

"I'm probably fitter, physically and mentally stronger than I was back then playing. I've got a lot to give to the game, not just to the game, but to the next generation of kids coming up.

"Most of them probably looked at me as a role model before I came to jail, and hopefully they still do.

"I can still speak to them about the path that they want to choose, like which way they want to go.

"If the NRL do hear this, everyone in life needs a second chance. Hopefully, the NRL can give me one. I'll take it with both hands."