When David Faiumu arrived at the Huddersfield Giants in 2008, he didn’t think he would be staying in Huddersfield too long.
It was his intention to see out his two-year contract and then re-assess his options back in the Australian NRL.
But that proposed plan never materialised.
Before that first deal had expired, the popular 31-year-old utility forward had penned the first of two contract extensions and his status as one of Huddersfield’s best ever overseas signings had been assured,
Only now, after six highly successful years, has the former Kiwi star finally decided to call time on his Huddersfield stay.
And during that time Faiumu has played a key role in helping the Giants become a stronger and stronger Super League force.
He was a member of the Giants side which reached the 2009 Challenge Cup final at Wembley – where they were narrowly beaten by Warrington – and was then central to Huddersfield winning last season’s Super League Leaders’ Shield after the club secured a first top-of-the-table finish in 81 years.
On top of that, the vastly-experienced former North Queensland Cowboys Australian NRL ace is credited with helping in the development of the club’s many young stars.
It’s not surprising, therefore, that Faiumu’s decision to end his time at the Giants earlier this season was incredibly tough to take.
“It wasn’t easy, but I know it’s right,” said Faiumu.
“It really was the intention of my partner, Belinda, and myself to see out the two years and say ‘let’s get out of here!’
“But, to be honest, in the first six months I didn’t think we’d be here that long.
“Belinda was really struggling and shedding a few tears.
“Fortunately, after that initial worrying start, things soon started to improve and our stay just became better and better.
“As a result, deciding to return home after seven years couldn’t have been tougher. It’s going to be a huge wrench for us.
“But because I’ve been struggling with a few things in recent times, both on and off the field, I know the time’s right.
“My mum’s sick back home and I’ve got quite a few injuries that need sorting.
“I also want to be back in New Zealand for my daughters, Nhiarla and Manaia, so they can start high school close to their family.
“They’re now seven and nine, and I think it’s about time they started to lose those Yorkshire accents!
“I know it’s going to be a massive wrench leaving here, because they’ve both made some good friends.
“But they’ve missed their family, and they’re at the age when making friends shouldn’t be a problem for them.”
In fact, Faiumu admits saying his goodbyes – although that won’t be until May when he completes his degree in Exercise Science at the University of Huddersfield – will hit him hard.
“I know it’ll be tough, because it already hits me hard when I think about leaving my mates behind. “There’s a lot I’ll really miss about Huddersfield, with the banter among the boys right up there.
“I also know how much I’ll miss seeing the ways the younger players are developing.
“During my time here, the obvious highlights include winning the League Leaders Shield and getting to Wembley.
“But, for me, I took as much satisfaction from giving help and advice to players like Bruno (Michael Lawrence) and Leroy (Cudjoe) when they were young and seeing them grow into the fantastic players they are now.
That fills me with immense pride.
“In fact, it would be good to think I could be doing something similar when I finally return home.
“At this stage, I don’t know exactly what I’ll be doing when I get back to New Zealand.
“But I’ve got a few irons in the fire, involving giving something back to the community where my own rugby league career began, although nothing’s been finalised just yet.
“And whether I’ll carry on playing is something else that’s still to be decided.
“Right now, I know my body needs a really long rest. There’s a lot of it that needs to be repaired!
“But before then I’ve got my studies and a lot of goodbyes to think about.
“With all the friends I’ve made over the past seven years, I know how tough those goodbyes are going to be.”
