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November 14, 2021

16-year-old prodigy’s record NRL contract Action photographs from the Harold Matthews game between Manly v Penrith, at Brookvale Oval on 27th March 2021. Picture shows Manly’s outstanding Latu Fainu making another break. (Pictures by Julian Andrews).

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The Manly Sea Eagles have reportedly splashed out big to ensure one of the most promising youngsters stays on the Northern Beaches.

The Manly Sea Eagles have reportedly splashed out the big bucks for the future of the club, signing a deal with a 16-year-old wunderkind.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Manly Harold Matthews five-eighth Latu Fainu has inked a deal to stay with the Sea Eagles and likely be groomed to take over the reins of the club when halfback and captain Daly Cherry-Evans retires.

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While the report didn’t mention the price, it did reveal that he would earn seven-figures over the next four years assuming he meets performance targets in his contract.

“It’s a dream come true,” Latu said. “It’s great to be able to stay here with my brothers. Hopefully we get the chance to all play in the NRL together. That would mean a lot to the family.”

As for what he wants to do with the money, Latu said: “I want to buy my mum a house. To be able to do that would be a dream come true. That’s what I want to do.”

One of eight children, Latu is the brother of Manase, Samuela and Sione, who are all in the Sea Eagles system.

Manase is currently stood down from the club awaiting trial for an alleged knife attack at a church dance and has not played since the end of the 2019 season.

Samuela, a 17-year-old forward, also extended his deal until the end of the 2024 season.

Latu’s signing comes after the likes of Parramatta, the New Zealand Warriors and the Dolphins were all interested in the youngster.

Latu was named the Harold Matthews player of the year last year and has even attracted an Adidias ambassadorship.

Fainu will follow in the long list of players to be signed up early and go on to NRL careers.

Last year, Joseph Suuali ended up at the Roosters after a tug of war between Rugby Australia, South Sydney and the Roosters.

He had to get an exemption to debut before his 18th birthday and impressed on his start in the league.

The Roosters had also paid a reported $300,000 deal to nab Sam Walker from the Broncos in 2019 and he claimed the Dally M Rookie of the Year in 2021.

But it’s believed that Fainu will beat new Dragons recruit Moses Suli’s record three-year $1.3m deal for the Wests Tigers in 2017, assuming the Sea Eagles youngster can meet his performance targets.

But remarkably, big brother, Manase believes the playmaker isn’t even the best of all the brothers.

“I back Sammy (Samuela),” he told the Herald.

“He’s a big boy; I’d back him to be the best of all of us. He grew up playing at half, he’s got all the skills in the world and he’s got the size, too.”

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