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Inu: From Minto to millionaire
Special bond ... Krisnan Inu relaxes at Parramatta Stadium yesterday after re-signing with the club until 2010. Photograph: Troy Bendeich By Christian Nicolussi January 22, 2008 12:00am THE boy who grew up on a housing commission estate in Minto yesterday became an instant millionaire when he inked a new contract with the Parramatta Eels until 2010. Excitement machine Krisnan Inu, who was raised in the same working-class neighbourhood as Melbourne's Israel Folau and Eels' teammate Jarryd Hayne, turned his back on rival clubs in a bid to help clinch Parramatta's first premiership since 1986. In a deal understood to be worth $400,000 a season, Inu said his friendships with Hayne and the rest of the squad made his decision easy. The chance to see some of the fringe players work their way into the top grade in the coming seasons was also a big factor. So rapt is coach Michael Hagan with Inu locking himself in for two more seasons, he believes the 20-year-old star and Hayne can combine to become "the two best centres in the game". Hagan said Inu and Hayne would be his starting centres for the 2008 season while Ben Smith continued to recover from a knee reconstruction. Inu, who returned home to Minto on Saturday to break the news of his extended contract to his parents and sisters, said it would have been hard to picture himself at another club. "The bond here at Parramatta amongst the players is the main reason I decided to stay," he said. "And if we can keep that bond this season we'll have every chance to go one better than last year. "I think we can get there, but you never know what can happen during the year. We're preparing well and everybody is looking faster and stronger than last year." Inu's manager Isaac Moses said his star client only made up his mind in the new year that he did not want to leave Parramatta. "He's played with some of the guys since he was a teenager, guys like Jarryd and Feleti Mateo, and would love to think he can win a premiership in the next couple of years while those mates are still at the club," Moses said. "He's also got some friends in the lower grades who are bound to get their chance in the coming seasons to join Inu in the top grade. "We spoke with a few other clubs, but Krisnan basically said he didn't want to go anywhere." Moses said Inu had such an affection for the area and its junior players, he hopped off a plane last September after Parramatta beat New Zealand in the opening round of the NRL finals and immediately headed west to watch the next generation of stars. "His old club Cabramatta was playing in the finals series and after he left the airport he rocked up by himself and was mobbed by kids," Moses said. "They loved him, he loved the night, he was picking the young ones up and made sure he said hello to all the players. He's the perfect gentleman." Hagan said Inu had the chance to develop into a world-class player of the same calibre as former Eel and now NSW Waratah Timana Tahu. He said Hayne was popular among his peers and, together with Hayne, "they can do things on the park I certainly couldn't do". After Hayne signed on for a further two years last month - to make sure there was enough cash for Inu to re-sign - Hagan said the club's first priority would be to secure their best talent before searching outside the club for new recruits. http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,22049,23090822-5006066,00.html |
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Wonderboy Inu shows his flair
New tricks ... Krisnan Inu practises his backwards drop goals at Parramatta training yesterday. Photograph: Gregg Porteous By Nick Walshaw February 01, 2008 12:00am LIKE most good yarns, this one started with a whisper. Of Eels wonderboy Krisnan Inu kicking unbelievable drop goals at training. With his heel. While facing away from the goalposts. "Well, yeah, it's true," Inu smiles. "But to be honest it wasn't too hard. "I was only kicking them from about 10m out." The incredible talent that is Krisnan Nevada Inu will be on display this Saturday as 20 sharpshooters contest an NRL Fan Day goalkicking challenge. Dubbed the "Smiling Assassin" in 2007, Inu has been busy improving his conversion accuracy over the summer with noted mentor Daryl Halligan. The boom Eel has also spent time working on his dazzling bag of tricks, like perfecting those helicopter conversions from the corner post a la Andrew Johns. With ball in hand, Inu can also complete a mid-air 360 before slamdunking the Steeden over the crossbar. "So all the other boys stopped trying after I did that," he laughs. "They said to me 'OK, you win'." http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,22049,23141093-5006066,00.html |