This is the second article in the three-part series that focuses on some of the game’s senior citizens who continue to defy the ageing process. In case you missed it, take a look at Part 1.
Following the recent retirement of Cameron Smith at age 37, the NRL’s four elder statesmen at the moment are:
- Benji Marshall, at 36 years and around 36 days
- Iosia Soliola, at 24 years and some 240 days
- Brett Morris, at 34 years and some 221 days
- Josh Morris, the same age as twin brother Brett
So what is it with these players? How are they still producing the goods week after week after all these years?
How did they get to here? How long can they keep going?
Today, we’ll look at Iosia Soliola.
Hailing from Samoa via Auckland, Soliola made his first grade debut for the Roosters at the age of 19 in Round 1 of the 2005 season. Playing his first and only top-level game on the wing, he crossed for a try in the Chooks’ victory over South Sydney.
Switching positions with Joel Monaghan from Round 2 onwards, Soliola played the rest of the season at centre, and despite the Roosters just missing a place in the finals, he impressed enough to be selected for New Zealand to make his international debut as a 19-year-old, however, injury meant he had to drop out of the side.
2006 saw him play 21 games for the Roosters, and although they finished the year in second-last place, he was selected at centre for New Zealand in the Tri Nations, going on to score four times in five games, equal-highest for the series with Greg Inglis.
Injuries and patchy form saw Soliola in and out of the Roosters’ first grade side over the next three seasons, but those years weren’t without their personal highlights.
He was selected for the 2007 Anzac Test, was part of the Roosters side for their unsuccessful 2008 finals campaign, and was selected for, but had to withdraw from, NZ’s 2008 World Cup squad.
In many ways, 2009 was a watershed year for Soliola.
Sia Soliola. (Photo by Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)
He played his last international as a centre against Australia in May, successfully made the transition into the forwards with the Roosters, announced that he was moving to the Super League to join St Helens the following season, and finished the year with four games in the forwards for New Zealand in the Four Nations tournament, forming a lethal backrow combination with Frank Pritchard and Adam Blair.
It not only looked like his days in the backline were over, but also his 92-game NRL career at the age of just 23, as England beckoned.
He was virtually an instant success in the ESL, going on to play a total of 117 games for St Helens, and crossing for 31 tries along the way.
However, premiership success still eluded him, with St Helens losing both the 2010 and 2011 Super League grand finals, and were knocked out in the semis in both 2012 and 2013.
Finally, in 2014, Soliola tasted premiership success, with St Helens defeating Wigan 14-6 in the Super League grand final, with Soliola crossing for a crucial try.
During his ESL stint, he captained Samoa in the 2013 World Cup, winning two of their three group games, before being knocked out in the quarter-finals by Fiji. This proved to be Soliola’s final international appearance.
Following the end of the successful 2014 ESL season, Soliola was still only 28 and could reasonably be expected to continue on with St Helens. However, he surprised one and all by signing on for 2015 with the Canberra Raiders.
Not many players make a successful return to the NRL from the ESL but Soliola proved to be an exception, hitting the ground running for the Raiders, and playing an integral part in the rise of the Canberra forward pack into one of the most effective and feared in the NRL.
He played nearly every game for the club over the next five seasons, including finals matches in 2016 and 2019, before suffering a horrific facial injury in Round 8 of 2020. The injury required a complete facial reconstruction and it looked unlikely that Soliola would get back on the field.
His career looked to be finally over at the age of 33.
However, testament to his strength and determination and his value to the Raiders team, he made it back by Round 20 that year, just 85 days after the injury, and went on to play through the finals series.
He was re-signed for the 2021 season, and has played an important role for the club coming off the bench in each game this year.
So what does Soliola bring?
Well, for a start, he’s one of the most experienced players in the competition, with over 330 first grade games and 16 internationals under his belt.
He also brings versatility, and having played nearly half of his career in the centres, has the ball skills, footwork and nous that can cause problems for the opposition when he has the ball in his hands.
He is also a powerful and ruthless defender. But what he brings most of all is grit.
Just the sort of player coach Ricky Stuart loves best.
Soliola is one of the hardest forwards in the game and never gives up. Even though he now primarily plays off the bench he is still very much a leader at the Raiders, and wouldn’t most other sides love to have someone of his calibre in their squads.
Crow
Roar Pro
Good article. I enjoyed the read. Yes age shall not be a factor for an elite few. Bless them from injury and let’s enjoy the play
mushi
Roar Guru
Another misappropriation of the Ode. You're a hypocrite Tony.
Tony
Roar Guru
You could be right Albo. The Raiders certainly do have some forward depth when they're all available, although Soliola is one guy I'd like to have on the field when the chips are down.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Iosia Soliola has been a solid performer for a long time in the NRL & ESL . He has always given 100% in every game he has played, and 300 first grade games is no mean feat. But I think his time is just about up ? He is limited these days to 20 - 30 minutes off the bench for the Raiders, and I suspect he might not even get that once Tapine , Horsborough, Harawira -Naera & Emre Guler return from injury. These days I think Sia is pretty much a handy reserve when required for Ricky !
Tony
Roar Guru
:laughing:
Paul
Roar Guru
certainly as a coach or recruitment officer for an NRL or ESL Club. I recall he used to do some commentary over in England and I thought he was not too bad at that. Certainly better than Gus and co, who have taken the Peter Principle to an extreme.
Nat
Roar Guru
It is. The NRL is far more professional but I don't know if it's more brutal. As I said, the backs tend to find a few more years but I'm not sure there's an abundance of 30-something props still dominating.
Nat
Roar Guru
Yeah, exactly. I watch some of those games wishing some NRL forwards had their aggression. Sometimes I wish some of them would come over to NRL but it is selfish and does nothing for their game.
Nat
Roar Guru
I didn't get the number plate but I remeber the bus...
Tony
Roar Guru
You'd have to think that Milward would be unemployable anywhere else but the Dragons
Paul
Roar Guru
so Millward does have a chance to add another underwhelming player to the roster? Hope he pays overs if he does sign him, just to stay consistent.
Tony
Roar Guru
I'm not sure Billy will even remember that hit.
Tony
Roar Guru
To be honest, I don't watch enough ESL to be a good judge, but based on some of the players still getting a run over there, you'd have to conclude that the standard is somewhere below NRL.
Tony
Roar Guru
The story's been running for a few days now mate. Apparently there's also interest in Fifita (Andrew unfortunately). I guess the next instalment in the De Belin matter will influence how this plays out.
Paul
Roar Guru
the games I've seen in the ESL have been full on, Nat, maybe not quite the intensity of the NRL, but still seriously tough footy. That said, I'm trying to work out how a bloke can be playing so well at his age and with so many games under his belt as a hard charging forward? Or maybe it's just good, clean living. :happy:
Paul
Roar Guru
ARE we chasing McGuire, Tony? I'm a long way form Sydney so don't get all the dirt but I recall a rumour when Hook first moved to the Dragons he liked McGuire. Is this just a beat up on that story from last year, or has Millward watched how McGuire harmed the Cowboys, on & off the field and thought, he's just the bloke we need?
Nat
Roar Guru
That's interesting. We see a lot of backs extend their career later than they otherwise would in the NRL but I don't know if that applies to forwards. I try and watch a few SL games and while the NRL is more structured, techniques are perfected and everyone has a role/corridor I don't know it's any 'harder' than what the forwards give each other over there.
Nat
Roar Guru
He has been a reliable stooger for a while and Ricky uses him just right. At this rate he may have a few more years left in him. He's hard but rarely outside the rules and I'm sure even Billy has forgiven him by now.
Tony
Roar Guru
Good point Paul. Most players find it difficult to step back up to NRL standard when they return but not Sio. Maybe the ESL "holiday" did him good? I wish that the Dragons were chasing him instead of McGuire.
Paul
Roar Guru
I wonder how much the way Soliola's career structure has affected his longevity in the game? He started young as many do, but stopped playing NRL at 23 to go to England from 2009 to 2014. I'm questioning whether that longish stint in ESL did two things; give him a different set of experiences in the game, as well as lengthening his career? There's no doubt he'd be a first choice forward for every team in the comp, which is huge considering his age.