Read an article about Sam in the Tele this morning … anyone post it here ?
“Dreaming” about bringing Manese here …maybe they could find him a gig somewhere at the club ? Doubt he will be getting an NRL contract anytime soon …Would suggest his release must be imminent…
Fainu family reunion: Prison day release sparks dream of fourth brother joining Wests Tigers
It’s been over six years since Manase Fainu took to an NRL field, jailed for an attack outside of a church. But a day release has sparked the dream of joining his three Tigers brothers once freed.
Tyson Jackson
February 18, 2026 - 5:00AM
It was the day release from prison that not only brought Manase Fainu back to his family home for the first time in years, but also sparked the dream of an NRL return for the former Manly hooker.
Just weeks ago, Samuela, the middle Fainu brother, drove to Mary Wade Correction Centre in Lidcombe to bring his brother Manase home for the first time since being incarcerated in 2022 after he was found guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
“It’s been a few years since he’s been out, so driving back home, he was spinning out how everything had changed in the four years,” Samuela said.
Manase was picked up at 8am, wasn’t allowed to go anywhere but the family home in Guildford, and had to be returned that same Saturday night.
It was there the pair and their family shared a big meal, caught up on life, and floated the idea of an NRL return when Manase is up for parole in late October.
But Manase was more interested in putting his brothers through his new workout routine.
Samuela was having none of it.
“He actually didn’t eat much,” Samuela said.
“He came home, and actually put my siblings through a jail workout.
“He tried to get me in, I’m like ‘f**k no, I’m not doing that’.”
When it comes to Samuela training with his older brother again, he is more than happy to, as long as it’s at the Wests Tigers Centre of Excellence.
The club, which recently re-signed eldest brother Sione to a monster three-year extension, keeping him at the club until 2029, has become a fan favourite in the Fainu household, with Samuela revealing the trio would love to play their entire careers there and bring one more on board.
Samuela hasn’t yet looked into what it will take to get his brother back into rugby league, but is desperate for his brother to return to the NRL after last playing in 2019.
“I really hope that he does come out and he’s allowed to play,” Samuela said.
“I’ll be trying to get him here, he’s not going anywhere else.”
Samuela and Latu are off-contract at the end of next season, but have stamped their loyalty to the Tigers if the club desires to keep them.
However, the goal of keeping their family together remains front of mind for the Fainu boys. With Sione locked down long-term, the destination for the remaining brothers is clear as day.
“We’re going to try our best and stay and play footy together for as long as we can,” Samuela said.
“To be honest we want to end our career at the Tigers.”
Moving into his fourth year in the NRL, Samuela has admitted he is his own harshest critic when it comes to his game.
Despite picking up the Tigers’ Kelly-Barnes Medal for Player of the Year in 2024, and often being referred to as one of the club’s best players, Samuela hasn’t viewed himself that way.
He often leaves games feeling he hasn’t played well enough and struggles to find the positives.
“I don’t think I have any good games to be honest,” Samuela said.
“I have always been like that, I’m my own toughest critic and I like it.
“Just bad moments, I can have the best game I’ve ever played, and one bad moment will just tear me to pieces.
“That’s what footy’s all about, just trying to get better.”
Not one for going out and partying, Samuela instead limits himself to eating, watching TV and lying in bed.
Sometimes all at once.
“I’m really lazy aye,” Samuela joked.
“I just wanted to stay in bed and watch Disney movies, eat shit.”
And while Samuela loves his animated movies such as Cars, there’s a clear favourite character from The Lion King for the Tigers second rower.
One that he likes to channel through his playing ability.
“Simba,” he said.
“All the lessons he’s been through and he still came out on top.”
