Manase Fainu, the former National Rugby League (NRL) player, was released from Parklea Correctional Centre on October 30, 2026, after serving more than four years in prison. Fainu, 28, was convicted in 2022 for stabbing a youth leader at a church event in 2019 and sentenced to eight years with a non-parole period of four years and three months.

Upon his release, Fainu was greeted by his family, including his brother Latu, who recently paused his participation in Tonga’s Rugby League World Cup squad to be with him. Reflecting on his time behind bars, Fainu described prison as a transformative experience, acknowledging that although he has maintained his innocence regarding the stabbing incident, he recognised his own recklessness leading up to the conviction.

“It’s been a blessing,” Fainu said, adding that the time served had allowed him to learn important life lessons and take accountability for his past. He explained that the first year in prison was difficult, marked by denial and questioning, but by the second year, he began to accept responsibility and grow from the experience.

Fainu’s professional rugby career began promisingly when he debuted for the Manly Sea Eagles in 2018 at age 19. Raised in a large household with his grandparents and multiple siblings, including fellow NRL players Samuela, Sione, and Latu, Fainu spoke candidly about how sudden financial success and early fame adversely affected him. “I grew up with nothing and then they gave me this big paycheck,” he said. “It all happened so quickly … I was just spending on whatever I could, getting mad cars, I wasn’t even thinking.”

His imprisonment has meant missing significant milestones, including his younger brothers’ NRL debuts—Samuela in 2020, followed by Latu and Sione in 2024. Fainu said supporting them from prison during those landmark moments was difficult but motivating. He expressed eagerness to reconnect with his family, including attending an upcoming Rugby League World Cup clash between Tonga and Samoa at CommBank Stadium, where Latu is slated to play.

Despite his time away from professional play, Fainu has maintained hopes of returning to the NRL. During permitted weekend releases, he has been training with his brothers and plans to apply for re-registration with the league, having been stood down in 2022 following his conviction. Meanwhile, Samuela and Sione remain contracted with the Wests Tigers until 2029, while Latu is set to become available to speak with rival clubs following November 1.

Fainu’s future in rugby remains uncertain, but his recent comments suggest a focus on personal growth and a determination to make the most of a second chance both on and off the field.