Nu Brown: ex-Featherstone favourite called-up by Samoa

Former Featherstone star Nu Brown has been added to the Samoa squad that will take on the Cook Islands as part of their World Cup preparations next weekend.

The 27-year-old has scored two tries in two games for Wests Tigers since returning Down Under in the off-season.

Brown was a fan’s favourite at Featherstone last season, scoring 15 tries in 21 appearances for the Championship club. He helped the Rovers lift the 1895 Cup at Wembley.

The Canterbury-born hooker or half-back made his debut for the Tigers last month. His recent displays have seen him win a call-up to represent Samoa for a sixth time.

Brown represented his Samoan heritage at the last World Cup in 2017. He will be hoping to play in his second World Cup this autumn, which is hosted in England.

Samoa face Pacific neighbours the Cook Islands in a mid-season test in Australia on Saturday week. It will be part of a double-header alongside Fiji’s clash against Papua New Guinea at Campbelltown Stadium. 

Former Leeds coach Richard Agar will travel to the southern hemisphere next week to continue his role as Samoa’s assistant coach.

The remarkable turnaround of Nu Brown and his career

Speaking back in March 2021 after linking up with Fev, Brown told Love Rugby League he was just grateful to be back playing after being told by surgeons that he would never play again.

Brown was told that he would never play again due to a foot injury – but he said it was “in his DNA to never give up”. He was over the moon to be back in action with the Rovers.

He said: “I’m just grateful to be back playing. I’ve had a lot of setbacks in my career.

“I got to a point where I had to see six surgeons because none of them wanted to touch my foot. They wanted me to get a bone fusion which meant I couldn’t run again.

“I remember coming home after being given the news and just crying the whole way. I thought all the hard work gone to waste and, at 25, I asked myself ‘what do I now?’

“Luckily my body has recovered and I’ve obviously proved the surgeons wrong.

“I feel I’ve come a long way but I don’t want to dwell on where I am at right now. For me it’s about resurrection I guess, because I know the potential I have to be a quality player. I want to make sure I let my actions do the talking now.”

Nu Brown is a success story that should be shouted from the rooftops, and the perfect example of chasing your dreams and never giving up.

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