Inu shows Eels teammates how to have a good time

parragirl

By James Phelps | March 10, 2008 12:00am

MEET the rugby league superstar who invited his NRL mates to celebrate his 21st birthday and served them soft drink.

After another week of alcohol-related controversy, The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Parramatta winger Krisnan Inu celebrated his 21st on Friday with 300 people - and 100 bottles of fizzy drink.

The deeply religious Kiwi Test player sent out invitations to NRL players, including Frank Pritchard, Israel Folau, Albert Hopoate and his Parramatta teammates, which included a footnote printed in bold type: "No alcohol allowed."

"You don't need to drink to have fun," Inu said.

"I learned that going out with all the football boys.

"I grew up in a family that doesn't drink so that has also made it a bit easier for me.

"It was a real good turnout and thankfully everyone turned up. We had a great time on the soft drink. You don't need alcohol."

nu's extraordinary alcohol-free party should put a smile on the face of every rugby league fan after another week in which the game's image took a battering.

Inu's good mate Jarryd Hayne was shot at last week after a boozy night in Kings Cross that included fellow NRL star Mark Gasnier and Eels teammates Weller Hauraki and Junior Paulo.

All three Parramatta players have been stood down from the Eels' round one blockbuster against the Bulldogs.

The Daily Telegraph yesterday attended The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, Blair Athol, with Inu, where his father, Pepesuatia, is the chapel bishop.

Fellow NRL players Folau and Hopoate attend the same church.

"I come to church every Sunday," Inu said.

"If we are playing I do my best to go to the closest church even if we are away. Thankfully, there are churches everywhere.

"The church has definitely helped me become the person I am.

"I grew up in the church and living in this environment has helped me grow into a humble man.

"I just have to keep level-headed and just live my life with what is in front of me."

Inu's mother said that the NRL stars revelled in the alcohol-free environment.

"There were heaps of them there," Fay-Fegai Inu said.

"I don't know all their names but they were having a good time drinking cordial.

"Some guys even came from interstate to be there.

"There was still a bit to clean up though."

Inu was forced to hold his party two weeks before his birthday to avoid an NRL clash.

"My birthday isn't until the 17th but I didn't want it interfering with a match," he said.

The smiling goalkicker said he "couldn't wait" for Saturday, when the Eels take on the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.

"We have stopped doing all the fitness work and we are using the ball a bit more," he said.

"It should be a big game on the weekend."

http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,26799,23346245-5006066,00.html

_________________