Lolo Fakaosilea is ready to unleash his Super Rugby mean streak in his first start for the ACT Brumbies, but there's a softer side to the mid-field wrecking ball that has put him on a path to success.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Fakaosilea will be thrown into his first Brumbies-Waratahs derby at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night in the unfamiliar position of openside flanker.
The hard-hitting back-rower readily admits he "sees red" when he steps on the field and the Brumbies recruited him because he packs a powerful punch.
But Fakaosilea, a relative of rugby union great Jonah Lomu and a talented boxer, says fatherhood, hair salons and fishing have given life balance to chase his Brumbies goals.
The 21-year-old became a father when daughter Miah was born last month.
And unlike most boxers, Fakaosilea spends his spare time cutting hair, managing his two salons in Brisbane and finding ponds around Canberra to go fishing.
"I pulled up at a pond behind the Belconnen Soccer Club the other day and got three red fin," Fakaosilea said.
"It's just something I use to clear my head ... I'm really different to other players. I try to not play footy in my head, or I'll burn out mentally.
"Fishing, spending time with my daughter ... that's really good to just escape it all.
"Then there are the salons as well. Ever since I was young, I used to cut hair. I worked at a barber shop when I was with the Queensland Reds.
"I still do it now, maybe about 11 or so of the boys come around every week because I've got a little barbershop thing at my house.
"At the moment, everything feels balanced for me and I've just got to try to keep that."
Fakaosilea launched his career in Queensland and played for the Australian schoolboys and Australian under-20s teams.
But injuries, including a debilitating hamstring problem, hindered his rise through the Reds' ranks and he decided it was time for a career change.
The Brumbies view Fakaosilea as a perfect replacement for Tongan powerhouse Ita Vaea, who prematurely retired last year because of health problems.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham describes the versatile back-rower as one of the most aggressive players he's worked with.
"As soon as I cross that white line to start a game, I see red," Fakaosilea said."
"On the field I love the aggression. But off the field I'm a bit quiet ... so spending time with my daughter, fishing or I've got two salons in Brisbane as well.
"I think even with boxing, I've got that little bit of extra fight in me. I think it's something I've always had."
Fakaosilea, 111 kilograms and 190 centimetres, will go head to head with Wallabies star Michael Hooper in a battle of the No. 7s.
Brumbies flanker Chris Alcock was ruled out of the clash against the Waratahs after suffering concussion last weekend.
"I played at [openside flanker] off the bench against the Crusaders in 2015, but I'm ready for the challenge. Hopefully the lungs are up to it," Fakaosilea said.
The hard-hitting forward called out NRL star Paul Gallen at the end of last year and challenged him to a boxing bout.
But while Gallen turned him down, Fakaosilea is set to jump in the ring against one of the Canberra Raiders players when the season finishes.
And Fakaosilea's power and raw aggression is one of the reasons Larkham rates him so highly.
"He's very hard on the ball and aggressive, he knows the system and structure we've got," Larkham said.
"What we've seen already is that he's capable of playing any number of positions in that back row.
"Lolo's contact is top class. He's very aggressive, particularly with his defence.
"I think he's the right man for the job this week."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND FOUR
Saturday: NSW Waratahs v ACT Brumbies at Allianz Stadium, 7.45pm. To donate to the Brumbies' World's Greatest Shave, visit: http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/brumbies
Brumbies team: 15. Aidan Toua, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Kyle Godwin, 11. Nigel Ah Wong, 10. Wharenui Hawera, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Jordan Smiler, 7. Lolo Fakaosilea, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Josh Mann-Rea, 1. Ben Alexander. Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel, 17. Nic Mayhew, 18. Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Ben Hyne, 21. De Wet Roos, 22. Jordan Jackson-Hope, 23. Andrew Smith.
Waratahs team: 15. Andrew Kellaway, 14. Reece Robinson, 13. Israel Folau, 12. Irae Simone, 11. Rob Horne, 10. Bryce Hegarty, 9. Nick Phipps, 8. Jed Holloway, 7. Michael Hooper, 6. Jack Dempsey, 5. Will Skelton, 4. Dean Mumm, 3. Sekope Kepu, 2. Tolu Latu, 1. Tom Robertson. Reserves: 16. Hugh Roach, 17. Paddy Ryan, 18. David Lolohea, 19. David McDuling, 20. Ned Hanigan, 21. Michael Wells, 22. Jake Gordon, 23. David Horwitz.
