http://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby-...as-a-garbage-man/story-fndpt9s1-1226589455147
Fetuli Talanoa speaks of his time with Rabbitohs, illness and life as a garbage man
Sometimes, as the crisp morning air hits his face, the 25-year-old's mind wanders to back to his previous life; the glamour of an NRL career and $200,000 annual pay packet which he chose to walk away from this year.
Doors used to open for him, Talanoa recalls as he opens the lids of trash bins. "But you know what, it feels good doing this," Talanoa says.
"It is humbling to realise what everyday people go through - you don't take things for granted any more. I am grateful for what I have, for my family, I cherish it..............................
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Unlike them, however, Talanoa wasn't lured by dollars and promises. His stocks with the Rabbitohs fell after his illness, and by negotiation he was released from a contract that expired at the end of 2013.
Rugby was his own move, but due to a lack of suitors, and the responsibility to partner Kristie and daughters Mercedii, 6, and Caprese, 4, Talanoa grinds the 5-10am weekday shift on the back of Woollahra Council's trucks.
He then trains with the Sydney University club in the evenings before returning to the home of in-laws Steve and June Bishop, where his family of four is living. It wasn't always the plan, but neither was playing 95 NRL games for Souths................. ................................. ...........................Talanoa scored 25 tries for the Rabbitohs between 2009 and 2010, and was forming a potent partnership with Greg Inglis before the pneumonia struck.
He struggled thereafter, going in and out of hospital for affiliated health issues, and managed just two appearances for Souths last season.
Talanoa says he has now returned to a physical state he has not been in since the pneumonia, and wonders whether his Uni clubmates think he is odd for his high-fiving and yahooing on the way to the training paddock.
"I don't want to be one of those players who switches to rugby at the end of my career, I want to have a proper go at it and, being only 25, I've got time to make it happen," says Talanoa.
Not even a recent phone call from the Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Griffin could persuade Talanoa to change his mind. So he continues on his path, the long way around.
