Sione Faumuina's chequered career included a two-season stint with the North Queensland Cowboys. Photo / Richard Robinson
Former Kiwis international Sione Faumuina's latest road to sporting redemption has led to the Boyne Island aluminium smelter - and the coal face of semi-pro league on Australia's Central Queensland Coast.
The wayward 30-year-old's latest attempt to resurrect a career documented by off-field issues is taking place in Gladstone,
550km north of Brisbane where he is playing Tannum Sands in the local club competition.
Faumuina, who played 88 games as a utility for the New Zealand Warriors between 2002-06, spent last season playing club rugby.
A three-test Kiwi, Faumuina's fall from grace has been steady and dramatic since being sacked by the Warriors for a series of alcohol-related incidents.
Faumuina, who started his career at the Canberra Raiders in 2001, signed with English Super League club Harlequins but had his contract torn up during the pre-season.
He returned to Australia to play for the North Queensland Cowboys in 2007, a two-season stint which included a police investigation after he left the scene of a single vehicle car accident in Townsville.
He then returned to the UK on a 12-month deal with Castleford in 2009 but the Tigers terminated the deal on disciplinary grounds which included an altercation in a Yorkshire nightclub which culminated in an assault charge.
Faumuina, who also hit the headlines after a high-profile break-up with Silver Ferns centre Temepara George, returned to Brisbane where he switched codes and played rugby for Norths Eagles.
He hoped to play for Redcliffe in the Queensland Cup but instead settled for lower-tier Tannum Sands Seagulls and shift work at the smelter.
"I'm grateful to be here and very grateful to be playing league again," Faumuina told Rugby League Week.
He is also looking forward to fatherhood with partner Jessica Cartwright, who is due to give birth to their first child in December.
Aware that his reputation needs a serious rebuild, Faumuina was optimistic his wild days were now behind him.
"What's done is done. I've taken a long time to settle down but I've found me the right girl, we're starting a family. I think we'll be staying in Gladstone for a while."
- NZPA
