Source :- THE AGE NEWS
The brother of one of the NRL’s most heartbreaking stories is set to earn his stripes on Thursday night.
Brian Pouniu sat by his older brother Joseph’s hospital bed after the latter’s life was upended by a horror spinal injury he suffered while playing for the Future Titans.
The elder Pouniu, who was set to join the Gold Coast’s top 30 squad in 2024 as one of the game’s most promising props, was crunched against the goalposts and diagnosed as a quadriplegic in the aftermath – two weeks before his 17th birthday.
Daniel Saifiti and Brian Pouniu are seen at training at Kayo Stadium.Credit: AAPIMAGE
He will turn 20 as Brian runs onto the Kayo Stadium turf as a Dolphin for his side’s preseason trial against the Titans on Thursday.
Joseph, who has since joined the Titans staff as a video analyst, is expected to be in attendance to watch his younger brother in action.
Dolphins assistant coach Nathan Fien delivered a telling declaration of Brian’s character.
“He seems like a very determined young man. He’s a big, fit, athletic thing, and trains the house down. He’s been through a lot of adversity – much more senior players would really struggle with some of the things him and his family have had to deal with,” said Fien, whose son Noah has been named on the extended bench.
“But credit to him and his support networks that have got him to the point now where he’s about to play his first trial in Dolphins colours. We’re very hopeful it’s going to be the first of a lot of games in Dolphins colours.
“We were just having a chat to Brian then, and he said his brother will be telling the Titans boys to run at No.4 for the Dolphins, so we’ll see how he handles himself.
“I think [Joseph] will be up in the opposition coaching box as well.
“He’s a big, fast, mobile backrower, but he gets a chance in the centres to prove his worth there. Players want to play with Brian, and we’re really keen to see how he handles what will be the biggest game of his life so far.”
Pouniu will partner former Brisbane Broncos star Selwyn Cobbo in the centres.
He will be joined by fellow recruit Morgan Knowles, with the English Super League champion lining up at lock in a pack featuring Thomas Flegler – who will come off the bench – and fellow injury-plagued star Tom Gilbert.
It has been a harrowing period for Flegler, with the former Queensland Maroons enforcer lasting just four games into his move from the Broncos to Dolphins before suffering severe nerve damage in his shoulder.
After undergoing transplant surgery, he has set about building his strength to make an NRL return, and Fien confirmed he was shaping for a round-one berth.
“He’s either zero or 100 miles an hour, and our high-performance staff have done a really good job just keeping him progressing and under wraps, but he’s ready to go – he wouldn’t be stepping out if he wasn’t,” Fien said.
“We’re very excited from a coaching point of view to see Flegs back in action. What is it, 600-odd days since he’s pulled on that Dolphins jersey?
“Having a player like that come into your squad when he’s been out for so long just adds another piece to the mix and definitely will strengthen us.”
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
