Rugby League: Newest Kiwi an Eel who slipped through Warriors' hands

By PETER JESSUP

David Solomona, a new Kiwi, can be just a Kiwi or he can be a special Kiwi, a great Kiwi.

So says his coach through his teenage years, John Ackland, who was also Solomona's coach in the Warriors' reserve grade team who finished second to Penrith in the 1997 grand final curtainraiser, the club's best performance in NRL.

"He was good all that year," Ackland said. "He was a dominant influence in us making the final along with Ali Lauiti'iti, Odell Manuel, Peter Lewis and the captain Monty Betham. It was a pretty hot side really.

"Circumstances conspired against us - bounce of the ball, a couple of ref's decisions. We whacked them in the round play and we should have won that."

Solomona, nephew of 1990s Warrior and four-test Kiwi Se'e Solomona, was a Warriors development player, then went to the Sydney Roosters in 1999-2000 and then on to the Parramatta Eels.

And now the Kiwis.

"I still can't believe it," said Solomona, the only new cap for the Kiwis-Kangaroos test at Wellington on July 13, Black Friday.

He played all four games for Western Samoa at the 2000 World Cup.

Son of a Samoa-born father and New Zealand mother, Auckland-born Solomona went to St Paul's College and played for Richmond Rovers. He has always had his heart set on that black-and-white jersey.

"It's hard for a lot of us - Nigel Vagana and others have been in the position I'm in - but Samoa unfortunately don't have the back-up and the test programme," he said. "I was born in Auckland and it's good to be picked for New Zealand."

At 178cm and 113kg, able to move at explosive speed over five metres and then offload if tackled or carry on if not, Solomona is a coach's dream off the bench.

Ackland said he deserved the Kiwi jersey. It was only a pity he did not wear a Warriors' one, too.

"I'm playing in a team that looks good and it's easier to be noticed," Solomona said.

Ackland saw Solomona play for Ponsonby at teenage grade and elevated him to Warriors development status, where most come from representative teams.

"He had quick feet, good hands - and there was a lot of other stuff he looked like he could do," said Ackland. But he let himself down. His ability was hampered by lack of drive and the "Warrior" disease.

Solomona said: "I enjoyed the Roosters but I'm enjoying it more now [with the Eels]. Going to Australia has benefited my football."

But he would like to come back to Auckland. "It's always in the back of your mind - going home, playing in front of your home crowd and family and friends.

"The way the Warriors are going they'll attract good players."

He has one year left on his contract at the Eels.

Solomona regards the new Kiwis as a strong team and is very glad to be a part of them.

He comes to Ericsson Stadium tonight with an Eels team who have won 10 and drawn two of their last 12 games.

He admits to being down after beating the Warriors, but there will be no love lost tonight.