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Stefano Utoikamanu's path to the top, like that of most football prodigies, was supposed to be simple.
- Stefano Utoikamanu will captain Wests Tigers in their trial match against the Warriors
- The 22-year-old is counted as one of the best young forwards in rugby league
- Utoikamanu was selected in an extended New South Wales Origin squad in 2021 before injury slowed him down last season
Three games off the bench in his rookie year? Check. A stellar sophomore campaign where he earned selection in an extended New South Wales Origin squad? Check.
In 2022, everything else that happens to players with Utoikamanu's promise was meant to keep happening.
Instead, the Tigers prop endured a high ankle sprain and a fractured wrist as he played just nine matches in the club's forgettable wooden spoon season.
Even when Utoikamanu, still counted as one of the best young forwards in the league, did take the field last season he never felt like himself.
"It was frustrating. I got injured early on, came back early then I had to take another break. I missed heaps of games and even the games I played I felt like I didn't play my best," Utoikamanu said.
"But I just want to put that behind me now.
"I was training a fair bit even before I came back, even when I was injured. I wanted to come back ready to go and I'm just keen to rip in and play."
Utoikamanu's work ethic is the stuff champions are made of – in his youth, he made a point of putting in extra training sessions on Christmas Day, just to try and find whatever edge he could.
It's part of the reason he's seen as a future leader at the Tigers and why he'll captain the side in their first trial of the year against the Warriors on Thursday night.
Even at 22, Utoikamanu wants to show the way for the Tigers pack, something he's eager to do in conjunction with star recruit David Klemmer.
"I want to stay healthy, that's the main thing. But I also want to be a leader of this pack, just like Klem is, I want to work with him to make this team better," Utoikamanu said.
"It's good to build a bit of a base for the year ahead, that's what I missed last year. I kept getting injured and it stuffed up my year but I'm really keen to start the year strong and go all the way."
Tim Sheens has chosen an inexperienced team for his first match back in charge but Utoikamanu's performance will be of particular interest for the veteran coach.
With a spot as Klemmer's front-row partner up for grabs, Utoikamanu will be looking to seize it with both hands and he knows that simple grunt work won't be enough for him to land the job.
Sheens and the Tigers have made no secret of the style they intend to play this season – there will be passes and plenty of them, regardless of who has the ball.
It's a welcome change for Utoikamanu after the bash-and-barge game he's played in the past.
"Sheensy's all about getting the basics right and everyone being able to play footy. Last year we didn't actually play too much footy if you get me, especially in the forwards – it was a lot of one-out stuff," Utoikamanu said.
"Sheensy is really trying to bring the passing into it, especially with the forwards, I need to pass a bit more myself.
"That's the footy we want to play, we want to have all options at all times."
The Tigers will also welcome back centre Tommy Taulau, who missed all of last year with a knee injury, for the match which will also mark the debut of new recruits Charlie Staines and Brandon Wakeham at fullback and halfback, respectively.