Sia Soliola is the type of guy who shaves his head to raise money for charity. And serves food at a homeless shelter. And drives a distraught stranger around the streets to help her look for stolen belongings.
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Why? Canberra Raiders skipper Jarrod Croker says it's because Soliola is the nicest guy in the NRL. Soliola simply says he wants to help people and be a part of the Canberra community.
The Raiders cult hero will shave his head to raise money for Kulture Break on Thursday afternoon, cutting his long locks for the first time in almost three years.
His kind gesture hardly comes as a surprise for a man widely regarded as one of rugby league's true gentlemen, highlighted by a touching story of helping a stranger in tears on the streets of Gungahlin this month.
Single mum Tess's car was broken into and thieves stole baby clothes, medical papers and new toys for her children. Then she ran into Soliola, and he restored her "faith in humanity".
"If anyone had seen the state she was in, and you realise the story of what she's been through, she just needed some help. Anyone would have done the same, and it's only natural you want to help people," Soliola said.
"Us as a club as Raiders and NRL players, it's our duty to show that kind of grace and help towards anyone.
"I really enjoyed in England the engagement and connection between the supporters, community and the game.
"I've always understood that one day I'll be sitting there as a supporter. If I can make the great connection between us as a club and the community, it can be great for everyone. That's what I love about Canberra.
"It has all the right bones for that environment ... [coach Ricky Stuart] has filtered that down from his playing days. There is that connection now and I think people really see us as players but people who do things [outside of the NRL] as well."
Tess sent a letter to the Raiders to thank Soliola for his actions. Her only regret was not recognising him, given she's a mad Raiders fan and Soliola's hair makes him stand out wherever he goes.
That will all change on Thursday. Soliola will get rid of his mop top, which was regularly tugged on by NRL opponents.
"I still remember the game when [Gold Coast Titans hooker] Nathan Peats grabbed it. I've had a few cases of people pulling it in games," Soliola laughed.
"I got tackled by Peatsy and I couldn't get up because he was holding my hair down as he was trying to get up. I started laughing and said something to him about his new tackle technique at the next scrum."
Soliola has teamed up with Kulture Break, a service which uses the performing arts and leadership development to help empower young people.
Soliola's son Israel has been part of the dance classes and workshops, and his youngest boy Alesana will join the programs soon.
They have already raised more than $10,000 and are hoping to reach a $20,000 target before the shave, which will also be Alesana's first haircut.
"He's 'Uncle Sia'. He's always there for the boys, he's one of the nicest blokes you'll meet. He'd do anything for anyone," Croker said.
"He's a champion bloke and it's good to see him get some recognition. I can't remember him with short hair, I reckon it makes him look a bit older so we'll have to get stuck into him about that."
Soliola added, tongue in cheek: "A few people have said they won't be able to find me on the field so I said I'd have to start playing decent footy so people would recognise me.
"I just want to say a big thanks to everyone who has already donated. I'm pretty pumped, there's a lot of heart behind it and more importantly, it's about what it's for. To try to help a local charity and change lives for the future."
