Eman Sparking up the Rams

• By Adam Julian

Emmanuel Solomona is one of the most charismatic and damaging midfield backs in Wellington Premier club rugby.

With his purple hair, mischievous grin, and hulking physical presence, Solomona is affectionately known as the ‘Eman’ – vital for Upper Hutt in their best season since making the Jubilee Cup semi-finals in 2005.

The Rams have won 10 out of 14 games in 2024 and Solomona has featured in every one of them, scoring seven tries and directly setting up just as many more.

“The boys have grown closer together as the season has gone on,” Solomona said.

“Our leaders like the Woodward brothers, Kaide McCashin and Daniel Schrijvers are demanding higher standards and the rest of us are following.

“Our wins against Petone and Hutt Old Boys Marist were massive. We know we’re one of the smaller teams in the comp but if we make out tackles, chop the bigger boys, and get down on the ground we can win that arm wrestle.”

Upper Hutt’s 26-18 victory over Petone happened in round two of the Swindale Shield with Solomona having a hand in the creation of two tries. Hutt Old Boys Marist boasts the biggest forward pack in the land but was conquered by the Rams 23-21 on June 1.

Solomona and teammates, including Daniel Schrijvers (white arm guard) and Jack Wright (headgear) celebrate a clutch try in their round nine 23-21 win over Hutt Old Boys Marist. Photo Andy McArthur.

Solomona was rampant in a slender 25-24 success against Johnsonville at Helston Park and scored two tries to salvage Upper Hutt a 22-22 draw against Paremata-Plimmerton. Solomona has formed a settled partnership with veteran Daniel Schrijvers.

“It’s so good having an openside flanker beside me at centre. Daniel is one of the best tacklers going. I know if I miss something he’ll be there to cover. If I can make a big hit Daniel can follow up with a turnover,” Solomona enthused.

“Ieti Campbell is another guy I enjoy playing with. He’s always been a big name but until this year we’ve always opposed each other. 

“He wasn’t with us at the start of the year but in his first game back, he got a hat-trick. All I have to do is get the ball to him on the wing.”

Campbell has scored six tries in eight games; together with Solomona adding some much-needed bulk and spark to the Rams backline.

Solomona scores late in the 22-22 draw with Paremata-Plimmerton. Footage: Club Rugby. 

This Saturday at Rugby League Park, the Rams are determined to lower the colours of Swindale Shield winners Old Boys University. The Billygoats outshone them 48-22 on May 11.

“We learned a lot from that game. They were good at turning us around and we want to attack them differently than we did,” Solomona said.

“We lost this same game to Ories last year who went on to win the Jubilee Cup. We know if we trust each other and take our opportunities the result can be different.”

Solomona is no stranger to giant-killing feats. Between 2020 and 2022 he was a dominant player in the St Patrick’s College, Silverstream First XV. Silverstream won 31 out of 41 games in this period, including two Wellington Premierships. The annual Blue and White in 2022 noted.

“Eman! A runner, a distributor, a communicator, a kicker and a big defender. Eman was a key member of our team this year however it was the latter part of the season where he came into his own. Finding long passes to put our wingers away, soft touches and around-the-back offloads giving us valuable meters and making our attacking game too difficult to defend. When Eman wasn’t scoring his six tries, eight conversions and three penalties (55 pts) he was cutting opposition players in half with big spot tackles. We awarded Eman our Best Back.”

A year earlier Solomona wrote his name into Silverstream folklore by kicking a mammoth penalty to win Silverstream a Premiership semi-final 33-32 against Wellington College at Hataitai Park.

“That kick was 60 metres, 40 two years ago,” Solomona laughed.

“Before that kick, we had a couple of chances to win the game, but I missed up both times.

“We won a penalty after a scrum and the boys were looking at me. Tom Mannix had gone off.  

“I wasn’t nervous until Toby Crosby came to hold the ball. It was ridiculous this big guy sprawled on the ground. When I hit it, I had to trust the wind to do the rest.”

The winning kick against Wellington College as described above. Photo: Andy McArthur. 

One of three brothers, Solomona was born in Samoa. His parents migrated to New Zealand just before Emmanuel started primary school. The Solomona’s initially settled in Porirua where Emmanuel was a Norths junior.

Powder coater Fuifui (dad) and corrections officer Aipopo (mum) relocated to Wainuiomata, but Emmanuel continued to play for Norths.

St Patrick’s College, Silverstream brought him into contact with a different locality, but he never lost his nickname.

“Eman has stuck with me for as long as I can remember. It’s cool. The purple hair started in the school holidays so I wouldn’t get in trouble. When I started playing well at Upper Hutt, I decided I’d stick with it,” Solomona laughed.

“I enjoy expressing myself. I’d like to help younger people from less privileged backgrounds get the best out of themselves. I’m studying criminology and psychology at University and trying to become a better rugby player every week.”