Solomon Haumono

Rugby League enigma, the Australian-born son of Tongan boxing champion Maile Haumono, started his playing career at Christian Brothers Lewisham before signing with Manly. Haumono came off the bench in the 1995 grand final loss to C’bury but after an inconsistent 1996 season signed with the Super League-bound Bulldogs. Haumono was a shock selection as a reserve forward for Australia in the ANZac Test but his fearless display for NSW in the opening match of the Tri-Series competition marked him as a forward of some promise. Cleared of a high tackle charge that resulted in Steve Renouf breaking his jaw, Haumono’s Super League season fell away and in 1998, he walked out on the Bulldogs to visit his girlfriend in England. Brought home by childhood friend Anthony Mundine (whose father Tony Mundine used Maile Haumono as a sparring partner), Haumono was banished to Moorebank’s Metropolitan Cup side and took no part in C’bury’s semi-final campaign. 1999 found Haumono at Balmain but an elbow injury limited him to just 8 appearances. After linking with St George in 2000, he turned his back on rugby league to pursue a career as a heavyweight boxer. Despite some moderate success Haumono returned to league in 2003 but after two seasons with Manly he joined the London Broncos.