VJ Semu has stepped up to the big stage, making his NRL debut for the Brisbane Broncos on April 24 against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs as a prop.
Semu’s rugby league journey began with the Beaudesert Kingfishers, his first junior club, where he started playing at eight years of age.
His family regularly travelled from Marsden to training sessions, with his older siblings also involved in junior rugby league.
He remained with the Kingfishers until he was 14, crediting the club’s coaches for shaping his development both on and off the field.
“It’s really surreal playing for the Brisbane Broncos. Coming from such a small club like Beaudesert, it really takes me back to all the memories,” he said.
“A lot of credit goes to the Kingfishers. They’ve done a lot for me and taught me how to play footy.”
Semu said a professional sporting career once felt out of reach as he originally imagined a future in construction or policing.
“If I told myself this five years ago, I wouldn’t think it’d be true,” he said.
“I always wanted to be something, and I think that really pushed me to be where I am today.”
Long-time junior coach Troy Willis, who guided Semu through much of his early development, described the debut as an emotional moment.
“We’re proud of him. Sort of got a bit emotional that night he made his debut,” he said.
“He deserves everything he gets – he’s trained hard and did his time to get where he is.”
Willis also recalled a special moment when he asked Jamal Fogarty, his brother-in-law and Manly Sea Eagles halfback, for a photo with Semu when their teams faced off on May 9.
“It was cool to see him because I met him at a young age. Just seeing him a lot older now and on the biggest stage of rugby league is pretty cool,” Semu said.
For young aspiring players, Semu’s advice is simple: consistency and hard work matter most.
“My dad always told me, if you really put your heart and mind into something, then you can get anything,” he said.
