Junior Set For Special Homecoming

Newcastle Herald

Saturday August 16, 2008

By BRETT KEEBLE

PART of his heart still lies in Canberra, but Junior Sau's body and soul belong to the Knights.

The rampaging rookie, who has scored seven tries in eight matches since his NRL debut against the Bulldogs two months ago, looms as one of Newcastle's strike weapons in the game against his old club in Canberra tomorrow.

A Raiders scholarship-holder from the age of 13, the 20-year-old left centre spent three years in Canberra's lower grades.

Sau lived in the national capital with Nardia and Paul Kerin, who he treats as a second set of parents and still speaks to several times a week. The Kerins took in another boarder last year, Raiders left winger Justin Carney, and he and Sau quickly became good mates.

"When I first moved to Canberra, I moved in with Nardia and Paul and they took me under their wing," Sau said. "I lived with them for three years and we got closer and closer, then Justin came last year so I took him under my wing. He didn't really know anyone so I showed him the ropes.

"Nardia and Paul are like another family to me. Every time I get some spare time, I try to go down there and see them. Nardia says my room is always there for me, their door's always open for me, and I've still got a key to their house.

"They always ring me before a game to wish me luck and I call them after the game."

Nardia said Sau spent Christmas with them last year "and he calls me Mum".

"Junior is part of our family and this weekend's clash will prove very interesting as to who we will barrack for. The rivalry between the two boys is immense," she said.

"We were pivotal in Junior's decision to go to the Knights, and this weekend he will be looking to put egg on the faces of the Raiders officials. [Playing] this weekend was one of his biggest goals for 2008."

Sau said he had nothing to prove to the Raiders but was keen to play against his former house-mate.

"I'm just glad to be playing first grade this year, and I want to thank Smithy [Knights coach Brian Smith] for giving me the opportunity," Sau said.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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