Livewire Manly hooker Manase Fainu feared he would spend most the NRL season in reserve grade after missing the opening round due to an off-field suspension.
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A star in his rookie year while filling in for the injured Api Koroisau, Fainu has become a weapon off the bench for the Sea Eagles in 2019.
The 20-year-old has scored three tries in three games this season, darting out of dummy-half and busting through an average of more than three tackles per game.
But as his round-one suspension after pleading guilty to filming a sex act without consent last year coincided with Koroisau's return, Fainu thought he'd spend his year playing for Blacktown in NSW Cup.
"I thought it would be hard (to get back)," Fainu said.
"I didn't expect to play first grade this year. But now I'm coming off the bench and playing 50-odd minutes and just doing my job for the team.
"After the first week ... he (Des) just called me into his office and just spoke to me one on one (and told me I was back)."
Fainu and Koroisau have since formed a close bond, with the pair even combining to form a one-two punch for the Sea Eagles through the middle out of dummy-half against South Sydney.
Off the field Fainu also credits Koroisau with playing a guiding role, urging the youngster to stay out of trouble and turn up to training in the right frame of mind each day.
There's also the real influence of Hasler on the pitch too, who has Fainu averaging the second most runs and run metres of all hookers in the NRL despite giving up minutes on a number of his rivals.
"As soon as Des came in he told me what I had to work on," the club's former under-20s premiership-winning captain said.
"I thought it would be defence but it was my running game and taking on markers, which is good."
Australian Associated Press
