Solomona out to end trophy drought
Warrington Wolves forward David Solomona is determined to end his trophy drought when he lines up against former club Bradford Bulls in Sunday’s televised Carnegie Challenge Cup quarter-final at Grattan Stadium.
The former New Zealand international has never pocketed a winners’ medal with any of his five clubs in 12 years as a Rugby League player and sees this year as the perfect opportunity to fulfil a dream of reaching Wembley.
Solomona said: “I was only 25 when I joined Wakefield in 2004 and we reached the quarter-final in my first season but were knocked out at the first hurdle the next two years.
“The furthest I got in three years at Bradford was the semi-final in 2007 but we were beaten by St Helens who went on to win the trophy.
“To play at Wembley would be a dream and I’d love to win a medal before I retire.”
Solomona’s trophy cabinet isn’t completely bare after playing in New Zealand’s 24-0 victory over Australia in the 2005 Tri-Nations final at Elland Road but he is hoping that his search for domestic silverware ends with a Carnegie Challenge Cup Final victory this year.
“The Four Nations win was a memorable occasion, but on the club front it’s been a different story,” said the 17-stone back row.
“I have made two NRL Grand Final appearances for Sydney City and Parramatta but we lost to Brisbane Broncos and Newcastle Knights.
“I must have been one of the happiest men ever to lose a Grand Final in 2000 because I was so elated at playing in such an occasion after leaving Auckland.
“It was more gut-wrenching the following year with Parramatta and I’ve been pretty unfortunate since coming over here, but I’m hoping to change that this year.”
The former Bradford second row spent three years at Odsal before departing for Warrington and believes that despite his loyalty to the Bulls, sentimentality will not come into play as he looks to guide the Wolves to their second successive Wembley appearance.
“Bradford have internationals all over the park and it could not be much tougher for us,” added Solomona .
“I know how much their Challenge Cup history means to them but I don’t want to go through my career without winning a domestic prize.
“We have won nothing yet and I know how much my old pals at Bradford want to win the Cup too.”