In the final home and away game for 2024, hulking Sydney Roosters Academy front rower, De La Salle Va’a made his NRL debut for the Club, becoming the third Academy graduate to debut in the NRL since it’s inception in 2021.
Va’a’s journey to the top level began in Toowoomba, where he and his brother Xavier grew up playing rugby league for Dalby Devils, Highfield Eagles and Valleys Roosters.
The Va’a brothers were known for their athletic prowess, relative to their formidable stature, and both won junior amateur boxing titles as they progressed with huge potential in the sweet science.
The brothers were scouted by Sydney Roosters Head of Recruitment, Daniel Anderson, and were part of the first intake in to the Sydney Roosters Academy Units in the off season of 2021/22.
Sydney Roosters Academy Head Coach, Jake Friend, said that it was not only the size and athleticism of the pair that stood out, both of them are also highly intelligent and easy to coach.
“They are great kids, they are students of the game in many ways and their physicality, paired with their mobility, is very rare in rugby league.’’
Friend also added that De La Salle’s debut as Rooster #1234 came as a just reward for his efforts since joining the Club as a teenager from Queensland.
‘’De La Salle deserves every opportunity that comes his way whether that be his selection in the Queensland Under 19 team this year or making his NRL debut for the Roosters, he has worked so hard on his game to achieve these milestones.’’
De La Salle’s debut was made all the more special as he lined up alongside the two other Academy graduates to have played for the Roosters in Siua Wong and Blake Steep.
Va’a was in beast mode, taking 8 runs for 97 metres in just 20 minutes on the field and Friend said he set a great example for future Academy graduates to attack their debut game.
“I’m sure there will be a few other boys in the Academy, including Xavier, who would be envious and eagerly awaiting their turn which will serve as extra motivation this off season.”
“We have very high hopes for more debutants in 2025.’’
