Va’a, a two-metre, 121-kilogram prop, has made three first-grade appearances for the Roosters since debuting in 2024, his most recent in round 27 against the Rabbitohs. He is contracted to the club until the end of 2027.
Va’a said the NFL had reached out and invited him to trials. “Look, there’s been [NFL] interest,” he said. “They’ve reached out and invited me to some trials. I think I’d be silly to not at least give it a crack, see how it goes. Obviously, I still have commitments here with the Roosters, and when the time comes, I’ll have those conversations with them.”
He plans to ask for a 10-week release because the IPP camp runs for that duration. “The dream scenario is 10 weeks, and in case I don’t make it, I come back, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” Va’a said.
The Brisbane Broncos previously allowed mammoth prop Ben Te Kura – who made five NRL appearances for the club – an initial six-week leave of absence to pursue his NFL ambition. Te Kura is no longer with the Broncos. Va’a is hopeful of securing a similar window.
Several league players have attempted the transition with limited success. Jordan Mailata made the extraordinary journey from a South Sydney reserve-grader to a Super Bowl champion. Jarryd Hayne made eight appearances for the San Francisco 49ers after his switch a decade ago.
Should Va’a succeed, he would become only the second NRL player to make a successful NFL switch, following Hayne’s path.