Grateful Galuvao eyes another premiership 

Source: PhotosportJoe Galuvao

Russell Crowe may be many things, but a careers adviser he isn't.

Just ask former Kiwis rugby league forward Joe Galuvao.

Summoned to the Hollywood actor and South Sydney co-owner's office in 2007, Galuvao got the chat all players dread.

He wasn't in the Rabbitohs' plans for 2008, and his reported $A350,000 ($NZ429,710) salary needed to be chopped to fit in new arrival Craig Wing.

And, Crowe added, Galuvao might consider retiring and embarking on a new career as a minister, such was his devotion to the church.

At the time, his manager reported Galuvao was "gobsmacked".

Needless to say, Galuvao preferred to do his talking on the paddock, not the pulpit.

And on Friday night he will rampage off the bench for the Parramatta Eels against fierce rivals the Bulldogs in the `battle of Sydney', one win away from playing for his second National Rugby League (NRL) premiership (after Penrith in 2003).

It is hard to imagine the affable Galuvao harbouring ill will towards anyone. The devoted husband of his biggest supporter Maybelle, and father of 10-year-old Praise and four-year-old Judah, said the setback at Souths just made him appreciate the position he was now in.

Moving on

"It was difficult, but Rusty was doing what was best for the club at the time. I didn't fit in the plans. But you move on in football and you can't get too hung up too much about it," he said this week.

"I've let it go, I'm enjoying my footy here and for me it's a bit of redemption as well. I'm really proud to be here, the last two years have been difficult but to be in this position I'm so grateful."

Galuvao, 30, is well used to career speed bumps after making his NRL debut with the New Zealand Warriors in 1998.

In 2000, he suddenly became unemployed when the club changed owners. Penrith legend Royce Simmons spotted him playing for Auckland club Manurewa in 2001 and offered him a deal with the Panthers.

His career hit a high in 2003 as he and compatriot Tony Puletua terrorised opposition forward packs and became known as the "hair bears" as the Panthers raced to the title. He was one of the first Kiwis picked in 2003-04.

He joined Souths for the 2006 season but eventually fell out of favour, and last season played for second tier club Wentworthville, who won the NSW Cup premiership.

"That's pretty much the story of my football life, just another bump in the road. I've just done my best where I was at the time.

"I hung in there and Parramatta gave me the opportunity. I couldn't control things other than training well and playing well."

He had worked only briefly with Eels coach Daniel Anderson when their careers at the Warriors crossed over in late 2000. But he gave Galuvao his chance and after a slow start, the old form returned as the Eels stormed through the latter part of the year to win nine of their last 10.

Technical

"He was a rookie coach at the Warriors and I've always said he's one of the best technical coaches I've been under," Galuvao said.

"A lot of guys here will testify that he's really brought something different in terms of philosophy and the way we play our games and brought out skills that some guys haven't used as much. It's been great for the club."

Still, his success with the Eels was not enough to guarantee a spot in 2010. The arrival of rugby convert Timana Tahu saw Galuvao get `that talk' again and he was snapped up by Manly on a two-year deal.

He is philosophical, and excited about the move to his fourth NRL club.

While the Eels are eyeing their first title since 1986, Galuvao never dreamed he would be in with a shot for another premiership ring.

"I didn't really start thinking about it until after we won (against Gold Coast). Last time I was in this position I was in Penrith and the emotions and the buzz of it, I felt that again.

"When we made the top eight a lot of the boys thought we could really make a go of it with the form we're in. With that belief it's put us in really good stead."

Despite the fact he's seemingly been around forever, Galuvao is still winning the race against father time. Even without the help of kava, which ageless Kiwis legend Ruben Wiki swore by.

"I don't know how I get up in the morning and my wife's sick of me complaining. But this season I've learned how to rest.

"Usually I'm doing some sort of extras, but during the breaks I've just tried to do nothing at all, and being one of the old boys kinda helps.

"I'm not a kava man, last time I drank it I couldn't speak for a few hours my mouth was that numb. I'm not a fan of it. I just go home and sleep.

"Spending time with the kids helps as well, they give you a good workout."