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Twenty-four-year-old Hugo Savala is preparing to play in the NRL Grand Final at the same venue where he carried the Provan-Summons Trophy as a five-year-old. The Rabbitohs forward reflects on his lifelong connection with rugby league, childhood memories and the support of friends and family as he hopes to live out his childhood dream.
In 2007, a five-year-old Hugo Savala carried the Provan-Summons Trophy alongside Jack Rayner and Darren LockyerVIEW ALL SCORES WHAT'S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit.
For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. Get the expert take on NRL Grand Final Day with FOX LEAGUE’s extensive coverage, plus full and mini replays available post-game on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Nineteen years later, Savala is preparing to return to the same stage. Instead, he’ll be playing for it.
“When I was five years old, someone in my junior club might have worked for the NRL or something,” Savala recalled to“They had a little presentation. They said any kids at the club want to go and someone put my name forward, and I was only five years old.
“It was like the past, present and some young kid, and that was pretty cool to now be hopefully playing on that stage. ” Now 24, Savala still remembers being given earmuffs before stepping onto the field, but what was simply a memorable experience for a young child has taken on a whole new meaning nearly two decades later.
“If you dream big and you work hard, then hopefully things do come to fruition, and it’s so cool. ”Looking back, rugby league was never the only sporting option for Savala. A product of the prestigious Scots College, he excelled at both AFL and rugby union during his junior years and could have easily pursued a career in either code“I’m really happy for him as an individual. Him as a person and as a friend.
I’m stoked for him,” childhood friend and Rabbitohs forward Tallis Duncan told“It’s both our childhood dreams that we get to live out. He’s living his this weekend and I hope he has a good game. Rugby league had been a part of Savala’s life from an early age, with strong connections to the sport dating back to his childhood.
Coincidentally, the mothers of former NRL stars John Sutton and Reni Maitua both worked at his daycare, helping look after him as he grew up.
“John Sutton’s mum used to look after me as a little boy growing up and also Reni Maitua’s mum as well,” he said. “They worked at my daycare and they were always good to me and my family and always looked after us. They were great people. ”While those early connections helped shape his love for the game, Savala’s path to the NRL was far from guaranteed.
But rather than look elsewhere, where he would have had multiple suitors, the lifelong Roosters fan chose to remain at Bondi.
“It’s just where my heart is and I couldn’t at the time see myself playing for another club,” he said. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 07: Hugo Savala of the Roosters passes during the round 23 NRL match between Sydney Roosters and Canterbury Bulldogs at Allianz Stadium, on August 07, 2026, in Sydney, Australia. This granted him the chance to continue his development alongside one of the most experienced playmakers of the modern era, Daly Cherry-Evans.
“You learn a lot every day and you just pick up different things off Daly and the way he presents himself,” he explained. “His knowledge of the game and how to get a team around the park is top-notch, and I’m definitely going to use that to my advantage in the years to come.
“I really love playing alongside him and I’m sure on the weekend everyone’s going to be putting their best foot forward to play for him and a lot of the other guys who are leaving the club. ”And while all his focus is on the 2026 NRL Grand Final, Savala has made no secret of his ambition to eventually lock down a regular spot in the starting halves.
“That’s where I want to play and I want to play consistent football in that position and grow and become a better player,” he added. “This weekend’s the biggest weekend of all our lives, so you can’t be looking too far ahead… next year be in that starting role as a half. “I’m going to drive the team there and I’m going to play my role this weekend, but next year I’m looking forward to getting that spot. ”
Hugo Savala NRL Grand Final Rabbitohs Provan-Summons Trophy South Sydney Rabbitohs
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