Hunter Wildfires back-rower Olajuwon Noa has lined up for Auckland in the ITM Cup, packed down for the Canberra Vikings in the National Rugby Championships and played professionally in Spain.
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But it was a four-month stint last year at Japanese top league club Yamaha Jubilo that "opened" the Kiwi's eyes "to what I needed to do as a player".
Noa was among a handful of foreigners, including former Brumbies lock Richie Arnold and Springbok back-rower Kwagga Smith, at Yamaha.
"We didn't have too many big names," Noa said. "The pace of the game. I had to get a lot fitter and the standards were higher. It really opened my eyes to what I needed to do as a player. The level I need to be at if I want to go further. It was a great experience on and off the field."
Released by Yamaha at the end of the season, Noa returned to Melbourne. After COVID-19 put everything on hold, Noa signed with the Wildfires. But he delayed his arrival in Newcastle until late February after the birth of his daughter.
Noa's wife Lora and five-month old daughter Losena have remained in Melbourne.
"It was a tough decision," Noa said. I facetime them every night and try to keep busy with work and training. "There wasn't much rugby happening for me in Melbourne. I saw it as an opportunity to play Shute Shield and see how I go from there."
A hamstring strain stalled his pre-season, but the athletic blindside has hit top gear in the past fortnight and will be a key figure for the Wildfires against Penrith at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.
"Hurting my hamstring was a bit of a let down, but I feel like I am finding my feet," Noa said.
The call-up by Wildfires teammate Henry Stowers' into the Brumbies squad - he is on the bench for the Super Rugby AU final against the Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night - has provided further motivation.
"It shows that people are looking [at the Shute Shield]," Noa said.
Wildfires coach Scott Coleman has no doubts that Noa has the ingredients to play at the next level.
"He is one of our best ball runners, is strong at the line out and hits hard," Coleman said. "He goes about his business and gets it done. He has only played three games in first grade. The more people get to see him, the more interest there will be. With Henry not there this week, they will be looking at someone else. I believe he will pick up a pro contract by the end of the season."
For now, the priority is the Wildfires and beating Penrith.
Noa moves from the second-row to six in one of a host of changes. Joe Tomani is the new lock. Prop Sam Tufuga makes his run-on debut at tighthead in place of Nick Dobson. In the backs, Tom Watson replaces captain Carl Manu (hamstring) at outside centre and Hamish McKie covers for William Lewesi (ribs) on the wing.
Newcastle beat Penrith 51-14 last year in one two wins for the season. However, the Emus have recruited heavily and accounted for Western Sydney Two Blues 11-7 a fortnight ago.
"We haven't even spoken about Penrith and where they are or anything," Coleman said. "We are focused on our own execution and game plan. "It is the second week with Nate De Thierry at 10 which should give us an edge. He is settling in at 10 and the guys around him are getting used to what he wants. If we play to the standards we have set, we will win."
James Gardiner
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
