Roosters rookie Benaiah Ioelu has opened up on his special relationship with club legend Jake Friend as he prepares to play his first finals game.
The hooker moved to Sydney to join the club's academy as a 16-year-old in 2020 and quickly formed a bond with the former Queensland and Australian representative.
Friend, the current Roosters Academy boss, has mentored Ioelu through his path to the NRL, with the youngster making his first-grade debut in the Round 12 win over the Sharks.
Roosters v Sharks – Round 12, 2025
Ioelu's rookie season will come full circle when the Roosters face Cronulla in Saturday's elimination final and he's determined to emulate Friend's feats on the field.
"It's a different route to other people who make their debuts because everything you see me do on the field is what they've taught me," Ioelu told ljmpta.com. "I feel so spoiled and blessed to be in the Roosters system with club legends like Friendy and Mitch Aubusson.
"They've been driving the academy and Friendy has taught me a lot. He's the definition of the way a Rooster should play and the way he drives himself. The club's built on hard work and they've driven that into me throughout my journey from Harold Matthews to the NRL."
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Ioelu has formed a powerful one-two punch with fellow Roosters hooker Connor Watson in the run to the finals.
The youngster has started the past six games to lay the foundation for the NSW star to come on and take advantage of tiring defenders.
It has proven a potent strategy, with the Roosters winning five of their last six games and coach Trent Robinson praised Ioelu's ability to handle the early moments.
"He's been great for us," Robinson said. "Connor is our long-minute nine but to start Benaiah has worked well.
"I thought he overplayed his hand [against the Storm] but we believe in him and we had a conversation around how he starts the game and he was outstanding [against the Rabbitohs].
"Then we also have the confidence to put him back in and finish the game with him. He brings a lot of energy to the game, he has a youthfulness and intensity about him that the boys enjoy."
Ioelu is one of eight Roosters to make his NRL debut this season, with the club defying expectations to progress to the finals.
Match: Sharks v Roosters
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Sharks
5th Position
away Team
Roosters
8th Position
Venue: Sharks Stadium, Sydney
The youngsters have answered every question asked of them thus far, but Saturday's sudden-death contest marks a new test.
Ioelu credited the club's veterans for helping guiding him through a challenging first season in the top flight as they look to upset the Sharks and progress to the second week of the finals.
"The older guys have been great," Ioelu said. "Chad Townsend has been huge for us younger guys. When he first came down he was always telling us about his experience.
"He's not playing in the 17 but he's constantly in my ear asking how my game is, what I can work on or just giving me tips. It shows us young guys how humble he is and how good a teammate he is. He's not thinking about the NRL and he continues to teach me.
"Then with Connor, he goes hard at training and we're giving it to each other but at the end of the day we're all learning and that's the main thing."
