How Brad saved me: Faraimo

http://m.nrl.com/rd-5-eels-v-wests-tigers-hls/tabid/10959/contentid/735339/default.aspxBy Matt Encarnacion, Western Sydney CorrespondentBrad Arthur, you might've heard, is a popular coach.He's a real man's man, they say, a typically battle-hardened Parramatta local. A a bloke who creates strong enough bonds with his players to entice them away from the sea breezes of the northern beaches.And, in Bureta Faraimo's case, from the comfortable confines of Wellington, New Zealand, too, which is where he was heading after his starring role for the American Tomahawks in the 2013 World Cup, given no one was really interested in him."That was one of my plans if nothing worked out after the World Cup – just go home," Faraimo tells NRL.com."I would've just given it up, to be honest. I would've gone back home to New Zealand. I wouldn't have a clue what I'd be doing, probably just watching TV and sitting at home. I honestly wouldn't know."Faraimo isn't quite your Anthony Watmough, and he certainly isn't your Kieran Foran. But for reasons very similar to why two of Manly's most significant pieces of the modern era have decided to take their talents to Parramatta, Faraimo not only decided to head out to Sydney's greater west last season, but re-sign for an extra 12 months, too."I wouldn't have a clue why he called me or how he saw me. I was just sitting around when I got a phone call from a random number. I was real shocked," Faraimo re-called of his first conversation with Arthur after the World Cup.Teammate Joseph Paulo, the Tomahawks' captain in the World Cup, said Faraimo was initially an awkward customer when he arrived in camp for the global tournament."He started off as an unfit player. He didn't have much of a background other than just having KFC and turning up and using his size," a brutally honest Paulo recalled."He was quiet and shy, like most Islanders. But by the end of the World Cup he was one of our leaders. He was our go-to karaoke man, he can play guitar, he can sing. It was good to see him come out."The only way we got to the finals was off his big, rampaging runs and quick play-the-balls. Now he's got fitness to go with his size. I reckon he took a lot of confidence out of being the NSW Cup Player of the Year. It's a credit to him that he re-signed because he put in the hard work."The 24-year-old played two games in his rookie campaign last season, scoring two tries, before injuries thwarted any chance of more game time.Injuries were then his ticket back into first grade two weeks ago, when he impressed Arthur with a 163-metre effort off just 15 runs. Last month, the New Zealand-born product re-committed to Parramatta for another season, all because of one man."I felt like I owed Brad heaps," he said. "Without him, I would've just given up."

"That's nothing new though right I mean sticky was saying his team made 60 odd tackles before his team saw the ball and still came back and won.It feels like you could go to almost any contest any week and pick apart these wild inconsistencies within…"

Replies

Kurupt April 15, 2015 at 8:12am

Nice story.
Gower Power April 15, 2015 at 10:52am

I like Faraimo. Maybe he can continue to improve fitness and crack 1st grade. Either way, he's a good backup winger
Gower Power April 15, 2015 at 2:00pm

Very surprised to hear he was thinking of giving up. The article says he's 24, so maybe this best is yet to come? I was under the impression that players generally peak around the age of 27.
- ParraMagic > Gower Power April 15, 2015 at 2:07pm
  
  24 is pretty much the age outside backs should come good. The only thing holding Bureta back is his acceleration and height. If he improves the one area that is possible, maybe he could be a genuine first grader one day. Very Matt Utai like.
fishbulb April 15, 2015 at 5:15pm

You wanna suck off Coach? What a horrifying thought!
fishbulb April 15, 2015 at 8:25pm

Bahahahahaha! Guess you wouldn't ordering anything with cheese - you already would've already had a gutful!
Alan Hunt April 15, 2015 at 9:33pm

His future is in the forwards imo, He's a decent squad player i suppose.
Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" April 15, 2015 at 9:57pm

You know - I am beginning to think the world os NRL is expecting something special from the Eels this year.

All these feel good - we love Brad stories hitting the media mean one of two things.

NRL WANT Parra to do well - old adage - Parra goes good, the league goes good

OR

Bullsh1t is trumps and we lose every hand.

Seems the media are actually printing Gooderer stuff for the first time in ages about the Eels.

All nice and warm and fuzzy.

*siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh*