Roosters have poached standout Langer Cup props Xavier and De La Salle Va’a, after meeting with Trent Robinson:
Player agent Shaun Pyne:
“It’s a great coup for the Roosters. They are guns on the football field and in the boxing ring. Xavier and De La Salle both qualified for the World Youth Championships in boxing last year, but they are keen to make it in the NRL."
“Xavier has sparred Paul Gallen and would fight him in a heartbeat. He would be happy to fight Payne Haas or Josh Papali. They are enormous boys and very good front-rowers. Brisbane wanted to keep them, but their offer couldn’t compete with the Roosters."
“Brisbane have some good young forwards coming through in Payne Haas, Tom Flegler and Xavier Willison, so the Va’a boys were excited about the opportunity to learn in the Roosters system.”
“The boys were blown away by having dinner with Trent and Daniel Anderson was the one at the Roosters who scouted them. They come from a great family. Their mum is a doctor and both boys want to go to university. Xavier wants to study psychology and De La Salle wants to become a doctor."
“The opportunity to be mentored by Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (veteran Roosters prop) was a huge factor. Xavier and De La Salle also hope to work with Sonny Bill Williams (Roosters legend), not only with their football but their boxing careers."
“Xavier is a very good prop. He has good leg speed and runs hard, he is a no-frills front-rower and he has the ability to offload. He will get a great education at the Roosters.”
McHunt