Jethro Rinakama: From demolition worker to Bati and Bulldogs star

Demolition worker, Vodafone Fiji Bati winger, Bulldogs junior and aspiring engineer – that’s who Jethro Rinakama was eight months ago.

He would haul scrap, debris, concrete and rebar around construction sites for a living, pocket AUD$1,200 a week from his NRL train-and-trial deal and put his maths prowess to work in his studies at Macquarie University.

Rinakama is still an aspiring engineer, but that part of his identity has taken a back seat to “NRL player” as he prepares for the Bulldogs’ elimination semi-final against the Panthers on Sunday. Before playing full time he was just a demolition labourer on a construction site.

Jethro – a biblical name that comes from Moses’ father-in-law – was on the NRL’s train-and-trial base wage with the Bulldogs at the start of the year, but has since become part of coach Cameron Ciraldo’s starting side after injuries to Jacob Kiraz and Marcelo Montoya.

Jethro Rinakama has gone from a train-and-trial deal to a starting winger.

Since making his debut in round 19 against the Cowboys, Rinakama has scored three tries, made three line breaks and run an average of 137 metres a game in his five appearances.

However, it was his pre-season performances, with three tries in two games for the Bulldogs, that landed him a full-time contract with the club through to the end of 2027.

With Montoya still sidelined with an ankle injury, Rinakama has been named to play in the biggest match of his career, and the biggest game for Canterbury since 2015 – the last time the club reached the second week of the finals – against Penrith on Sunday.

It’s a huge accomplishment for the teenager, who is still eligible to play for the club’s under-19s SG Ball team, and a big reward for his family, who, Rinakama says, have sacrificed a lot for him to be in this position.

Rinakama says they came from Fiji in their 20s, and it was pretty difficult for them to be able to provide for him and his brother, and he is definitely grateful for them, and everything he does is for them.

One of Rinakama’s long-term goals is to represent Fiji during the international window at the end of the year, and play alongside Viliame Kikau – one of his idols who he plays alongside at the Bulldogs.

The youngster says it’s pretty mad because he used to watch their grand finals, especially Kiks coming through Penrith.

The Bulldogs take on the Panthers in the NRL semifinal at 6.05pm Sunday at Stadium Australia.

[Source: Sydney Morning Herald]