Newcastle Knights' Francis Manuleleua, a rising star at just 22, faces a crucial test as he aims to recover in time for the upcoming qualifying final against South Sydney.
His journey in the past two months has transformed him into a valuable asset for the Knights. In the six games leading up to his dislocated elbow, Manuleleua showcased remarkable skills, breaking 23 tackles, assisting five tries, and scoring two. This performance contrasts sharply with his earlier struggles, where he found it difficult to secure a position in first grade early this season.
Reflecting on his turnaround, Manuleleua recalled a pivotal conversation with coach Justin Holbrook and the conditioning staff. "They just kept me accountable and told me this isn't good enough," he shared with AAP. He realized he needed to improve his fitness and lower his weight to succeed in the NRL.
This realization prompted him to lose five kilograms, significantly altering his diet by cutting takeout, which he described as a challenge, given his love for food. "The main part was my diet, obviously," he said.
Working on his fitness not only addressed weight issues but also improved his overall performance. "It's making those extra tackles, getting back off the line. That's what's really helped with my footy this year," he explained.
Named in the squad for Newcastle recently, Manuleleua must still pass further training to compete against the Rabbitohs. Following his injury against the Warriors, he feared a severe setback before receiving good news that there was no fracture. "After the game, they took me for x-rays and the whole time I was praying, 'No fracture, no fracture'," he recounted.
Despite the challenges, Manuleleua remains optimistic about his performance, attributing his success to the support of his teammates and coaching staff. "Everything's still surreal. I still can't believe the footy that I've been playing," he added.