Bula has shed light on his famous father-in-law’s influence on his career.
Wests Tigers fullback Jahream Bula has shed light on his marriage to long-term partner Aaliyah and the influence her famous father Solomon Haumono has had on his NRL career. Bula and Aaliyah tied the knot in Sydney during the off-season, with former rugby league cult hero Haumono pictured walking his daughter down the aisle.
Haumono was a fan favourite at the Manly Sea Eagles, despite playing just three seasons in two different stints with the club. The towering forward also played for the Bulldogs, Dragons and Tigers in a 111-game NRL career, before moving to England to play for the London Broncos in the Super League. He also took up professional boxing in 2000 and won his first eight fights, before returning to the ring after his league career ended in 2006.
The Tongan international was an intimidating presence on the footy field and in the boxing ring, but Bula insists he’s nothing like that behind closed doors. The Tigers livewire says he has a great relationship with his father-in-law and often turns to the 49-year-old for advice about his own career.
Jahream Bula often turns to Solomon Haumono for advice
“He is a scary figure on the field, but off the field he’s one of the most gentle blokes,” Bula told Fox Sports. “Me and him get along well, so it wasn’t too hard… He’s been through it all, not just in footy, but boxing as well, so he knows what it’s like. So it’s good to get some advice from him.”
Bula is too young to have seen Haumono terrorising defences during his rugby league playing days in Australia, with the Tigers young gun only four years old the last time his father-in-law played in the NRL. But the 22-year-old concedes Haumono was a “tough and scary” player after revealing he’d watched highlights of his father-in-law on Youtube.
The Tigers No.1 has not yet stepped into the boxing ring against his father-in-law, in what would be an overwhelming mismatch in terms of weight, reach and height. Bula would have the advantage of youth on his side but says he needs to get his shoulder right after undergoing surgery before doing some boxing work with Hauomono.
Jahream Bula reflects on incredible wedding day
Bula described his marriage to Aaliyah and the celebrations with family and friends as the best moment of their lives, with the 22-year-old sharing photos of the happy couple surrounded by loved ones on the steps of the Opera House. “It was the best day, we wish we could do it again,” Bula said.
Aaliyah is also a professional footy player for the Parramatta Eels in the NRLW, and Bula says there are no issues with them switching club allegiances when they watch each other play. “Nah, no way, I support her when she plays. She supports me when I play,” Bula said.
Bula had reconstructive surgery on his shoulder after suffering a labral tear against the Knights in August, but the 22-year-old is expected to be right for the Tigers’ season-opener against Newcastle on March 7. Benji Marshall’s men have recruited strongly in the off-season as they look to avoid a fourth-straight wooden spoon, with marquee signing Jarome Luai joined by fellow former Panther Sunia Turuva, Terrell May, Royce Hunt and Jack Bird.
