Official Jack Afamasaga

[BUZ]

Check the article in Mega's post. The Eels scouts rapped him big time, but he had some off field dramas. He's got GF experience with the chickenhawks.

Here's a 2006 interview

Interview with Jack Afamasaga

27/12/2006 - By Ben Horne - Manly Sea Eagles

The second in our series of interviews with the new faces for 2007, Ben Horne speaks to Jack Afamasaga, the former Parramatta Eels second rower who is looking to cement a place in the first grade team.

Welcome to the peninsula Jack, what was your motivation for moving to Manly?

They told me there was a regular first grade spot up for grabs and I just saw it as a great opportunity. Obviously I’ll have to work very hard for that spot, but to know that there is a regular position available if I perform well enough was a great opportunity for me.

Are you excited about being part of the ‘new Manly?’

Yes I’m very excited. It’s been really good so far. There’s a really nice atmosphere up here and a great bunch of blokes. It’s a very laid back kind of lifestyle which suits me. The fact that Manly has performed so well over the last couple of years also makes it really exciting.

It must have helped having International forwards such as Steve Menzies and Brent Kite in the team?

Yeah, I’m really looking forward to learning some things off these guys. I was a bit disappointed when I heard that Ben Kennedy was leaving, I was looking forward to playing with him, but Steve Menzies has had just as much experience so I know I’ll learn just as much off him. It’s really special to me that I can play with a player like that in the back part of his career. With guys like BK and Kylie Leuluai leaving you do kind of think that you have big shoes to fill, but all the guys are confident that we can do the job.

How have you found the pre-season training so far?

It’s been really good actually. It’s been very game specific which I’ve enjoyed. They just haven’t been smashing us up and there’s been a really good variety. Hopefully I’ll be able to come back into full time training after the Christmas break, I’m still recovering from a knee reconstruction I had earlier this season. A couple of years ago I had my ankle and calves done too so I’m just hoping that coming to Manly will change my luck a bit. The recovery has come along really well so I’m feeling great.

You played much of your junior football as a rugby union centre. What was the reason for the change of codes?

Parramatta sent over their junior grade to tour New Zealand and Mark Horo who was the development officer for my area asked me to come over and play. I hadn’t really watched or played Rugby League before until that game, but from that Parramatta asked me to come over and play with them. I might be keen on playing rugby union again one day but I haven’t really been keeping in touch with it recently. My cousin Ma’a Nonu plays for the All Blacks and I heard that he’s thinking of coming to play Rugby League so the boys might put some pressure on me to persuade him to come here!

Does your former life as a centre help you now as a back rower?

Yes it helps in that I guess I have that extra bit of speed and a bit of a step. When I was at Parramatta I got told that I was a bit too rough for the backs so I made the move to the forwards and it has worked pretty well. I’ve put on a bit of weight so I’m ready for a big year I hope.

What Rugby League players do you look up to?

I was really looking forward to playing with BK; he was definitely someone I looked up to. But Nathan Hindmarsh is someone I look up to, I trained with him at Parramatta and he’s a great player.

You looking forward to shaping up against your old club Parramatta?

Yes, it is a must play game. I’ve already circled it on the calendar as the must play game. I’ll play with two broken legs if I have to!

What are your goals for this season?

My first goal for 2007 is to get on the field and maintain a regular first grade spot. After that in the long term I’d love to play for New Zealand in Rugby League and maybe even further down the track, in Rugby Union as well.

Thanks Jack and all the best in season 2007

Source

Also a Wikipedia entry here

 

[Great White]

2007 he actually played some grade off the bench for Manly and was playing well for a hilwe, but I am not sure if he got injured or got dropped soon after.

 

[gosharks]

must be ok

ricky has made habit of picking up quality players barrett, toopu,hughes and reni all quailty players.

 

[pandapat]

 

[footyfortress]

Players want to play under Stewart. Being the Australian coach really helped. Hopefully the trend will continue

 

[WillyInBris]

 

[Great White]

Well no-one comes to our club thinking it will be an easy ride, and if they do, they are quickly shown the door, or park footy.

One of the big reason Mason went to Roosters, he wanted the show pony life.

 

[JimBob]

Injuries Round 4 - Afamasaga

in the game against the bulldogs jack looks like he did his leg. Nrl is such a cruel game, his first touch and he might be out for a while. Lets just hope it's not bad.

 

[hitman124]

it did look pretty nasty, i genuinely feel bad for the big fella, had shocking luck.

 

[JimBob]

it did look pretty nasty, i genuinely feel bad for the big fella, had shocking luck.

I no i feel so sorry for him. People had been giving him so much hype for this game and i was looking forward to seeing him play.

 

[chunk67]

jack who?

 

[JimBob]

jack who?

afmagassdsefs i cant spell it, the guy with the beard.

 

[bort]

afamasaga. its not that hard, every second letter is 'a'

 

[Murphy]

i hope jack is ok and wish him a speedy recover,while i was at the game i saw 2 former shark players Lance thompson he was with frazier anderson my eyes nearly poped out my head i thought he was in japan

 

[JimBob]

afamasaga. its not that hard, every second letter is 'a'

lol i hadn't seen that all i have to remember now is fmsg

hmmmmmmm lets make that
footy - magic - sharks - gold

 

[sharkie_09]

i hope jack is ok and wish him a speedy recover,while i was at the game i saw 2 former shark players Lance thompson he was with frazier anderson my eyes nearly poped out my head i thought he was in japan

f*CK! that tosser if we had him...out goes pom, in comes frazer..now i realise where this sudden lack of depth has come from...aah completely forgot about him!...ahhh u shoulda popped the eyes outta HIS head...

and birdys while ur there

 

[bort]

i hope jack is ok and wish him a speedy recover,while i was at the game i saw 2 former shark players Lance thompson he was with frazier anderson my eyes nearly poped out my head i thought he was in japan

his japanese contact doesnt start until halfway through the nrl season or so

 

[JimBob]

his japanese contact doesnt start until halfway through the nrl season or so

i wish there was a way we could get him back.

 

[Bungy]

I wish we could get Bird back

 

[FoRzA aZzUrRi]

we will next season