NRL: Axing by Cleary turns life around

Frank-Paul Nuuausala scores for the Roosters. Photo / Getty Images

Frank-Paul Nuuausala and Ivan Cleary have not spoken in five years, yet the Sydney Roosters and Kiwis forward credits the Warriors coach with turning his life around.

The powerful, yet increasingly trim, Nuuausala will play in the second row today when the Warriors meet the Roosters in Christchurch.

He was signed to the Warriors at age 14 then left the club at 18 in late 2005 after Cleary was appointed coach. Cleary called him into his office and axed him, saying Nuuausala did not have the work ethic needed for first grade rugby league.

"It was hard at that time," Nuuausala says. "I didn't like Ivan for a while after that but the truth can hurt and I thank him every day now for what he said.

"I was in South Auckland hanging out doing all the wrong stuff, trying to be a gangster, trying to be someone I wasn't. I had talent but relied solely on that to make all the age group teams before Ivan called me in. That has been my motivation since ... to prove Ivan and the Warriors wrong."

Cleary has unleashed a monster, albeit a 102kg version compared to around 114kg that had bulldozed defensive lines.

"Frank-Paul has really impressed lately," he says. "It's fair to say he's come a long way from that young kid back here [at the Warriors]. He's obviously changed a fair bit around in his life and is now showing what he is capable of."

Nuuausala made his first grade debut for the Roosters in 2007 and Stephen Kearney slotted him into the Kiwis during last year's Four Nations. He also played the Anzac test this year.

He is making the transition into a more open-running, ball-playing role. He's in the 11 jersey today but prefers to be at lock.

It's working, judging by his dynamic performance, offloading at will, two weeks back which helped thrash the Storm 38-6.

"[Roosters coach] Brian Smith has given me more freedom playing at lock, it's where I played when I was young. You get a chance to run more but not take as many hard hit-ups even though you're still playing in the middle of the park. My fitness levels are better now so I can handle it."

Smith says Nuuausala has been worth persevering with: "I've loved witnessing his growth this season but I think it started last year. He made a decision he was going to be professional rather just a guy who had a talent.

"He's not 100 per cent consistent but he had a standout game against Melbourne. I'm not too worried where he plays in the forwards. He's got the skill set to cover prop, second row or lock on the left or right side of the field. Once he was unsure if he was even worthy of playing in the NRL."

The turnaround is due in part to Nuuausala's focus on his diet and his interest in cooking. He credits former Roosters and now Hull forward Craig Fitzgibbon - his "guardian angel" - with instigating it.

"Craig offered me the odd recipe and taught me how to cook. Now I do the cooking at our flat for my girlfriend and our flatmate. I'm sure they rate it 10 out of 10," Nuuausala jokes.

"I've never heard them complain and, if I'm not there, they eat takeaways. Chicken breast with feta inside wrapped around bruschetta and a side of steamed veges is my current speciality. That's pretty tasty."

Nuuausala has played every game for the Roosters since the start of last season, something he puts down to a healthy diet, gymwork and plenty of rest rather than in-vogue solutions such as yoga or Pilates.

The Warriors are well aware of what Nuuausala can produce. Several, including Sam Rapira, Ben Matulino and Manu Vatuvei, played with him through the junior grades..

Five-eighth James Maloney watched him batter the Storm: "He was unbelievable; every time he took the ball it looked like he was running in from the carpark. We've got to be in his face and get numbers on him."

Halfback Isaac John was left with a similar impression.

"He was 'killing it' against the Storm. I used to watch Frank-Paul growing up and I was pretty scared of him. He played in the grade above me for Auckland against Waikato."

Nuuausala is based in Sydney indefinitely but would like to play for the Warriors "in a few years, in front of my parents."

He is also keen to spread the message it is possible to grow up a success from Mangere and Otara. "I have a mate whose sister teaches at a primary school down that way. I sometimes go to talk to the kids when I'm home and say there are better things to do than drugs, working in a factory or joining a gang. You can easily fall into those traps but I want to help put South Auckland on the map. It's not that bad."