Broncos rookie Caleb Timu on a mission to prove doubters wrong

[Danoz Direct]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...g/news-story/7dcb0113d733a29f19110ceb78a9bbcf

 

[Danoz Direct]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...g/news-story/7dcb0113d733a29f19110ceb78a9bbcf

CALEB Timu is determined to prove wrong the doubters who warned he was throwing away his rugby league future to pursue his religion.
Timu refused to listen when a Brisbane staffer told him in 2013 that his desire to help the less fortunate through a Mormon mission would spell the end of his sporting career.
Unlike most young men, Timu never viewed rugby league as his only path.
A Broncos prodigy who earned comparisons to Gorden Tallis as an 18-year-old, Timu saw the NRL as a nice option rather than the only option.
Two and a half years after he left the club to follow his heart, Timu has returned to the Broncos from South Auckland on a two-year NRL deal, determined to prove doubters wrong.
Several NRL players have returned to the code after Mormon missions, with mixed results.


Jordan Rapana has become a standout at Canberra after struggling to make an impact in the years immediately after his mission.
Will Hopoate represented NSW after his mission but is yet to rediscover the form he displayed before he left Manly.
Lagi Setu, who was a Bronco at the time he went on a mission, has bounced around several clubs without making an impact.
The Broncos are prepared to be patient with Timu. He was a 19-year-old backrower training with the first-grade side when he left for his mission and is still only 21, which is a baby in terms of a forward.
“I was told if I went on my mission I would never play NRL,” Timu said.
“The staff had my best interests in terms of football because they wanted me to know that two years out would affect my football, but … my faith was more important.
“When I left I didn’t have a contract to come back to so I figured I would just start studying and I was OK with that because I didn’t think anyone would want to pick me up.

“To have this opportunity to play at the Broncos again is amazing and I will make the most of it.”
Timu was not allowed to watch television during his mission so he missed the Broncos’ golden point heartbreak in the NRL grand final.
He said the sacrifices he made during the past two years scraped away his selfishness.
His proudest moments were helping drug abusers overcome their addictions, which was heavy work for a man just out of his teens.
“The mission was a goal I had since I was young because I wanted to sacrifice to help other people,” Timu said.
“It taught me to think about others. It changed my outlook on people and I realised everyone has a purpose and I needed to be more selfless.
“We have restrictions to help us focus. I wasn’t allowed to watch television (and) only was able to email my family once a week and call twice a year.
“I didn’t watch the grand final until I came back to Australia.”
Timu ballooned to 117kg during his mission but already he has shed most of the excess.
His body still needs work, as does his decision-making on the field. He will start the year for Souths Logan and if he impresses could force his way into the NRL side later.

 

[Mitch06]

Best of luck to him, hopefully we get some Intel on how he is training and some viewing at the nines!

 

[broncoboy]

from what ive heard he is meant to be the next gorden tallis and tbh if he is half as good i will be happy

 

[Alec]

I'd love for him to do well, but everyone coming back from their moron missions has been considerably worse.

 

[Splinter]

I consider his last season with the Broncos terrible. If he comes back worse than that he won't make an Intrust Super Cup side.