One of Siua Wong's earliest rugby league memories is watching the Sydney Roosters win the 2013 NRL grand final and only having eyes for one player.
"I loved Sonny Bill Williams and I was watching that game just for him," Wong said.
Back-rower Wong, who was only 10 at the time, watched the Roosters beat Manly that day from the comfort of his own home.
The title was the club's first of three won under current coach Trent Robinson and the Roosters' first tryscorer was winger Daniel Tupou, who will suit up against Newcastle on Sunday.
"I watched it in my parents' bedroom, mum was away at the time - she's in the military - and I remember watching it with my dad and my sister," Wong said.
Fast forward to 2026 and Tupou remains entrenched in the Tricolours' pursuit of a fourth premiership under Robinson. Wong - the fresh-faced boy marvelling at SBW - will don the No.12 jersey worn by Williams.
New Zealand-born Wong, now 23, is one of the undoubted success stories of the Roosters' academy, having joined the club as a 14-year-old and quickly risen through the ranks.
As a teenager he was always tipped for greatness but this year he has added the less glamorous parts to his game, regularly chalking up 80-minute cameos on the edges.
He pinpoints ex-Wallabies boss and current Roosters forwards coach Michael Cheika for helping take his game to new heights.
"He has brought a fresh perspective into how we prepare and how we play and that's helped develop our forward pack into what it is today," Wong said.
"He seems very mellow, but he can show that (fiery) side where he's imposing himself. He's been such a great asset to us this year."
Wong has had one of the more unique backstories, with his father, Akuila, and mother, Sekola, both serving in the military during his childhood.
Winning a premiership would be a fitting tribute to his parents, who were often on deployment when Wong was a schoolkid playing rugby union.
"I mixed between living with my grandparents, my boarding school and my parents," Wong said.
"They were all over the place - Iraq, Egypt, Afghanistan, East Timor. Mum was in signal communications and dad was in infantry. They were in peacekeeping so they didn't have too many scary experiences.
"My grandparents played such a big role in my childhood, living with them through the back of primary school and the start of high school, but my parents were always there for me even though they weren't there in person."
Australian Associated Press
