Soliola to re-sign with Raiders
It was widely assumed 2021 would be the last season in the National Rugby League for 35-year-old Canberra Raiders club favourite, Sia Soliola. But as old newspaper people would say: hold the phone.
He hasn’t formally announced it and nor has his club.
Yet The Milk understands because The Milk has been told that Iosia “Rodney” Soliola will be running around for Canberra Raiders again in 2022.
“There’s nothing official from the club yet,” a source told The Milk.
“But watch this space - looks like he’ll be going around again.”
Following Canberra’s dismal ouster at the hands of Sydney Roosters in round 25, it was widely assumed that Soliola, 35, had played the last of 229 NRL games.
Fuelling the group-think was the fact his team-mates had lobbied coach Ricky Stuart for his inclusion in the final XVII in last Thursday’s game.
A Raiders spokesman told The Milk that he asked club officials on Monday about the status of Soliola’s playing career but was told nothing had happened yet on that front.
Soliola is widely respected throughout rugby league and is something of a father-figure at the Raiders, particularly for the club’s Polynesian players.
“He’s more than just a player at the club,” said our source.
“All the young blokes, particularly the Polynesian boys, look up to him.
“They call him ‘Uncle’.”
Soliloa has played 137 first grade games for Canberra, 92 for Sydney Roosters and 117 for St Helen’s in the UK Super League.
He has also played 12 Tests for New Zealand and 4 Tests for Samoa.