LAKE MACQUARIE back-rower Marlon Solofuti admits he wasn't ready to retire from professional rugby when he called it quits at french club Soyaux Angoulêmel in 2017.
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But family is everything to the powerhouse No.8 and he returned to Australia - ending a six years overseas including stint in Japan - to join wife Marlene and son Maximus in Newcastle.
After two and a half seasons of club rugby, Solofuti took up the "open invitation" to trial for the Newcastle Wildfires.
Next Saturday, the 38-year-old will take on the Western Force in a game of Global Rapid Rugby at No.2 Sportsground.
Solofuti, Lake Macquarie teammate Brendan Holliday and Hamilton hooker Chris Ale are in the squad which is supplemented by Sydney players.
"When I retired I wasn't really retired," he said. "My body was good and my mind was good. I had the option to play another two years, but my wife and son were living here. When I saw an open invitation to the Wildfires for anyone interested I thought I'd give it a go and see if I still had it. I know it is not professional like I was used to but it has been awesome. It is good being around guys who are keen to make it to the highest level they can. I love being in that environment."
Newcastle Wildfires commitments means Solofuti will coach rather than play for the Roos in their sevens tournament at Walters Park on Saturday.
"My sevens days are over," he said. "We will use it to give a few of our younger guys a taste. It's more of an invitational team."
Western Sydney, Manly and invitational teams Fijian Warriors and Baa Baas are among the favourites in the men's division.
Manly, Norths, Sydney Uni and Randwick spearhead the women's division.
The final start from 1pm with the men'sdecider at 3.45pm.