He has all the ingredients of becoming a star in the NRL. Footwork, speed, the ability to sniff out a try scoring opportunity, Sione Katoa has impressed the right people while training with the Sharks NRL squad this past summer.
The leading try-getter in the Holden Cup competition in 2017, Katoa arrived at the Sharks last year and since making the move to the Cronulla club has made every post a winner.
A Parramatta junior, the Eels loss could become a big gain for the Sharks if Katoa goes on to fulfil his immense potential.
Born in New Zealand, of Tongan heritage, Katoa is firmly on track to debut in the NRL this season, possibly as early as round one when the Sharks fly north to take on the Cowboys.
While not wanting to put the weight of expectation on his shoulders, head coach Shane Flanagan has dropped Katoa’s name in a couple of pre-season interviews as a player to watch, firmly believing the youngster has the ability to play at the top level in 2018.
Similarly, former Shark Michael Ennis, now a Fox Sports commentator as well as a Sharks coaching assistant, is a big Katoa fan.
Quietly spoken, Katoa steers clear of the limelight off the field, preferring to let his actions on the paddock do his talking, however in a ‘world exclusive’ interview, Sharks TV spoke to Katoa about the pre-season, his footballing background and his hopes for 2018.
In what is more than likely to be the first of many interviews for Katoa during what has the potential to be a long NRL career, see what he had to say, now playing on Sharks TV.
Fact file: Sione Katoa
Born: August 21, 1997, Hamilton, NZ
Junior Club: Chester Hill Hornets
Position: Wing
Height: 181cm
Weight: 88kgs
2017 NYC: 26 games, 24 tries
