Manu Vatuvei of the Warriors. Photo / Getty Images
Manu Vatuvei of the Warriors. Photo / Getty Images
Manu Vatuvei has never been allowed to take much for granted throughout his 12 years in the NRL.
Despite making his 200th appearance for the Warriors in tomorrow night's match against Wests Tigers, and being the club's leading try-scorer with 138 to his name, Vatuvei has always had his detractors. Lots of them.
You can hear them start whenever he commits an error and they are conspicuous in their silence whenever he makes amends or adds a positive contribution.
Over the years he's learned how to cope with setbacks in games and in life in general.
Chief among his on-field disappointments is the now infamous match at Parramatta in 2007 in which his handling woes led directly to three of the Eels' six tries in a lopsided 30-6 defeat.
So pivotal was that game, in teaching him how to move on from setbacks, he now includes it among his list of most memorable matches.
"One game I want to forget but will always remember is the Parramatta game," Vatuvei explains. "It helps me a lot with how I prepare every day and every week.
"From previous years I feel I am getting better in that I'm more consistent than what I used to be. Hopefully I can continue that and do it every week because I know there will be times when I fall off but it's about how I pick myself up and keep going."
And despite whatever negative perceptions the fans, media and general public may have held at different times since that fateful night, Vatuvei's determination and strength of character is as respected by his teammates as much as his bulldozing runs and freakish scoring ability.
"I've always known how good he was and how much of an asset he is," said Thomas Leuluai. "Coming back here from England I sometimes thought people out there didn't really share that opinion.
"There were a couple of games there that people have held on to for years and they still talk about them even now.
"He's never sulked about it, never pointed the finger at anyone else or bitten back to all the criticism he's got at times. For me, that's massive because it must be hard on him and his family when you hear things like that.
"But in our environment at the Warriors, he is looked at as one of the best to ever pull on the jersey. He's a legend at our club and one of the most selfless and humble people I've met. He's never held any grudges towards anyone else and I really admire that."
Vatuvei concedes his past struggles did impact upon those closest to him. That more than any verbal or written barbs stung him the most.
"My family took it harder than me. They didn't have everyone around them at the club supporting them like I did.
"My whole family just had to overcome that and look after each other. Whenever something happens I think of my family and what they go through so I want to pick my game up for them."
Losing close friend and former teammate Sonny Fai in a tragic drowning in 2009 was another cruel life lesson which has left its mark on Vatuvei.
He continues to celebrate and honour his fallen friend each time he crosses the try line.
His personal tribute of raising his hand and pointing to the heavens confirms a four-pointer with almost more authority than the referee blowing his whistle and pointing at the turf. And while time heals all wounds, there's not a day that passes where Fai is not in his thoughts.
Manu Vatuvei's bulldozing runs and freakish scoring ability are respected by his teammates. Photo / Getty Images
"He's a person I'll never forget and to this day I still get emotional when I start talking about him," he says.
"To be honest, he's a hero. He gave his life saving someone else and it's something I'll never forget.
"He's a bloke that did a lot in the short amount of time that he was here at the club. He was an inspiration with everything that he put into his game and how much he developed as a kid.
"I saw that and to lose him was one of the hardest moments of my life. It reminds me of what I work hard for every day and not to take anything for granted."
Warriors coach Andrew McFadden says Vatuvei's approach to life and footy is a great example to the club's younger players while he also believes the 29-year-old is in career-best form.
"Certainly experience helps with that. You learn there's no point dwelling on mistakes but the way Manu conducts himself on the whole is very impressive and I'm sure the young guys have got a great role model there.
"His contribution every week at the moment is significant for the side. I know that the success of the team will be built around how well some of those key players play and he's one of them.
"I think arguably he's in his best form right now. His impact in the team is clear with how he carries the football, defensively he's been really solid and his composure is getting better and better as he gets older."
Vatuvei is off contract at the end of the year but hopes his love affair with the only club he's known continues.
"Definitely that's something I really want to do.
"The club is still looking into that and hopefully it all goes well there.
