Abu Dhabi Harlequins’ Iziq Foa’i gets trial with Warrington Wolves

Matt Jones - Editor 15:31 29/04/2015
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  • One for the future: Iziq Foa’i.

    Abu Dhabi Harlequins dual code rugby star Iziq Foa’i is keeping a promise he made to his mother to finish his schooling in the UAE.

    However, with his A Levels coming up over the next two months, the teenage talent can’t promise to be in the Middle East for very much longer.

    The 19-year-old battering ram is currently cutting his teeth with Super League’s Warrington Wolves in the north west of England, where he is undergoing a two-week trial.

    It is the latest in a series of trips to the UK that the New Zealander has made over the last few years.

    Foa’i, who can play either as a forward or a back, initially spent time at the UK Harlequins’ Elite Player Development Group in the summer of 2013.

    The following year he returned, albeit he was bumped up to the senior set-up where he trained with England internationals Chris Robshaw and Mike Brown.

    Last year the multi-talented Kiwi even played for Quins’ 7s side that participated in last summer’s Premiership 7s and World Club 7s at Twickenham.

    He ended his 2014 UK stint with a trial at St Helens in Super League, the code Foa’i grew up playing in his homeland, only taking up union when he moved with his family to Abu Dhabi in 2010.

    Foa’i admits his latest two week stint in the UK is going well, with Warrington already informing him they want him back to complete the season – after his exam commitments of course.

    “I got a trial with Warrington Wolves for a few weeks after some of the boys sent my CV,” said Foa’i.

    “The boys are super nice and have really got me involved from the start, but it’s been the hardest training I’ve ever done, on a par with training with London Harlequins.

    “Mainly the training I’ve been doing is conditioning, just trying to get match fit so I can come back after A Levels and finish the season, that’s the plan.

    “It’s all dependent on my Samoan passport and if I can get that as early as possible. With my current New Zealand passport I need to have a New Zealand representative honour or have played National Rugby League Under-20s which I haven’t had as I’ve been raised in the UAE.

    “Wolves want me back after my A Levels are done to finish the season with their U19s, which ends in October.”

    Foa’i enjoyed a fine season with Quins.

    Foa’i enjoyed a fine season with Quins, helping them to winning the UAE Premiership and the Gulf Men’s League title at the Dubai Sevens, going on to impress in the Gulf Top Six too.

    He also started the Nissan Rugby League Cup season with Quins, playing the opening game against Dubai Sharks on April 17 and scoring a try in the 70-14 rout before heading to Warrington days later.

    Quins coach Tony Scott said he is delighted for his captain, who he says always leads from the front.

    “It’s fantastic for him and we’re all really proud of him at the club,” said Scott.

    “Hopefully something good will come out of this two weeks in England. He’s got everything; size, power, speed. He’s a typical league player. What a star to play both codes so well. He’s so dominant in both.”

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