Interview with Hohepa Puru (3/6/26)

[00:00:01] The Royal Motor Yacht Club Port Hacking is a hidden gem of the Shire, situated on the banks of the beautiful Port Hacking. It's a great place to catch up with friends, celebrate your birthday or any special occasion, and they always show the NRL live on the big screens. The RMYC Port Hacking, proud sponsors of this podcast and big supporters of the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks. Check out their website rmycph.com.au

[00:00:26] They've got a Facebook page, or you could go old school and call them on 029523 9300 Back in the Shire, turn your port slides off because we're coming home with a trophy.

[00:01:05] Hey there, welcome to SharkCast, part of podcast dedicated to the greatest sporting club in the history of the world, the mighty Cronulla Sutherland Sharks. It's Derby Week, local Derby Week. We don't like them, they don't like us, you bring that on. Brought to you by Dyson Logistics, the Royal Motor Yacht Club in Port Hacking and Jason Hawes of Crips & Crips Real Estate. A short, sharp, based interview episode here where I got to catch up with Hohepa Puru, or Pep as he likes to be known as.

[00:01:32] An outstanding young man. He can talk so well about football as you'll hear in life. Good family man, talks about his brother so proudly at his debut on the weekend. So I can't wait for you to hear that coming up real shortly on this episode. Also, just got done talking to Ben Harlem in New York City, who's on his way to Australia for the Derby, which is pretty exciting. And we did a recap on round 6, 2016, Titans at Cronulla.

[00:02:01] So that'll be out and about on your podcast feeds, YouTube feeds, etc. Really soon if it's not there already by the time you hear this. And they're always fun, those episodes. So we're catching up, we'll get to the grand final, by the grand final I promise. But great to look back at the 2016 season. Topical, of course, given the promotion going on by Luke Lewis and his new company.

[00:02:26] Where you can join a raffle and win a beautiful Premiership ring in a night out with the 2016 team. Now I have to tell you, as I've been reminded by many of our listeners, unfortunately it's only for New South Wales and Queensland residents. That's completely out of my ballpark, so any complaints there, please take it up with Louie or the club or both. There's not much I can do about that.

[00:02:51] I didn't really know about it before I started promoting the raffle, so I apologise for my behalf. But yeah, obviously out of my hands and above my importance factor, shall we say. But 2016 is a thing, and we talked about it on the latest episode with Ben Harlem. Derby week, can't wait for it. 4.05pm, Sunday Ocean Protect Stadium. It's going to be a great occasion. Grab your ticket while you can.

[00:03:19] You'd have to think some of their mob will come over across the bridge after their inspiring win against the Brisbane Broncos. Which they almost lost in the end. But of course we want to completely dominate them at the ground on and off the field. So make sure you're there in your colours and reminding them that they are a merged entity and they've only been around for a short time. And they haven't won 11 in a row and everything else. Just make sure you rib them, rib them, rib them. Harry Man Brew will be a thing before the game.

[00:03:47] 1pm, a shark cage initiative. From there, people will go along the walk to the stadium. All welcome. Rumours flying around the interweb about player signings for the Sharks. Radio SEN allegedly mentioning a major signing coming up soon. I know that Jake Avarillo has been mentioned in rumours. And I think at the moment West Tigers have outbid everyone else for him. But we'll wait and see on that one.

[00:04:17] I think that Will Kennedy is getting closer, as reported in many publications, and is a priority for the Sharks. Aside from that, I'm sure there are other things in the works. And when we hear about that, we'll hear about it. I'm focused on 2026. A lot to do here before we hit our peak. A lot to improve on. Coming off some good wins. Which is great against some decent teams. We play the Dragons and they're getting pretty fired up.

[00:04:44] Not only for local derby reasons, but they actually won a game. So congratulations to them. They'll come here with a bit of a spring in their step, thinking they're going to pull an upset off. But they're not going to, because we're going to defeat them. Because that's what we do. Great to hear Hoepa mention the derby. He mentions round 23 last year, how they're still stinging from that. So our lads will be up for it. And it's time to get revenge on that game. And revenge in life really. Because they're the Dragons and we're the Sharks. And that's what goes on. We don't like them. They don't like us. We don't like them even more.

[00:05:14] We'll have more episodes for you throughout the week. So stay tuned. Subscribe, like, share. Appreciate all your support. I can't say it enough. I won't stop saying it. You'll be hearing from us. But up next, potentially my new favourite guy. Hoheppapuru. Let's go. The song might be playing here at Suncorp. The way they're going. They might play it at half time. And they're almost over the line. He's got it to the line. Puru has scored for the Sharks. Hoheppapuru. Pep.

[00:05:43] Why are we calling you Pep? It's just a name that's run with me since I was a young kid. Hohepp is harder to pronounce. And funnily enough, everyone says Hep or Pep. Either way. Yin or Yang. Yeah, Pep's just stuck with me since I was a young kid. So whenever I say my name and they're like, what's that again? I just say, just call me Pep. A lot easier to roll off the tongue. And yeah, it's catchy. Tell us about your upbringing. Where you grew up. We know you came from the Penrith system originally. Tell us about your upbringing. Yep. Born and bred in Blacktown.

[00:06:14] Did all my juniors at the Panthers. However, started in the Paris system. Just started locally at the Blacktown PCYC, which fell in the Parramatta system. But when footy got a bit serious, a bit more serious around 12, we made a shift to the Penrith system with a few mates and found a team at Windsor Wolves where a bunch of us boys moved and we loved it. I played there for a couple of years and then found myself in the Panthers system at 13, playing SG ball.

[00:06:44] Actually started on the wing there. Started on the wing, up in age and then pushed into back row and then found my way into the forwards through the ranks. And then come SG balls playing lock. COVID hit. Come on the other side of that. I'm now in 20s. And yeah, won a grand final there. This was back in 2019. And then after that, spent two years with the Canberra Raiders under Ricky. Got my NRL debut there. Had a lot of cup experience there.

[00:07:13] Just found it tough to find my way back into NRL. Had to look over the horizon and then Sharks popped up. So yeah, came to Sharks, put my head down, went about my work. Got a debut with the club mid-season in 2025. And then found myself in and out of the NRL team since then. And then just with the injuries and opportunity lately, I've been finding myself in the top grade a bit more. So looking to find a few more games over the coming weeks and then find some form up there. Have you got a preferred position or?

[00:07:43] Yeah, I would have. See, a couple of weeks ago, I would have said lock. You know, lock comes first nature to me playing in the middle. But hooker is not too far from lock other than passing off the ground. I do enjoy hooker. I would say lock's my first and preferred position. But get the touch of ball a lot more at hooker and you see the game a bit differently. So I've been enjoying hooker at the moment. And has the brother always been along your side aside from the Canberra journey? Were you in the same teams at Penrith, for example? Yep, every team. All through school.

[00:08:12] All representative growing up. We were side by side. Funny enough, we made a swap. I was actually a halfback growing up and my brother was in the middle. Really? Yeah, and it just came about. I got a bit chubbier. He got a bit leaner. And we made the swap with positions and he moved out of lock and back row into halfback. And I moved into back row and I found my way back into the middle. And it was a big deal. But yeah, we've been rubbing shoulders since kids.

[00:08:38] You know, that first game when I went to the Raiders and Nephi came to the Sharks round three, we actually versed each other in cup. So it wasn't very long after we left each other. Did we find each other playing against each other again? Yeah. So that was a pretty cool experience in itself. Am I correct in saying Nephi was here a year or so before you came? Yeah. So when I went to Canberra, he made the move to Sharks. I spent two years with Canberra and then made the move to Sharks.

[00:09:07] So this would be Nephi's fourth season here and my second. So yeah. That's crazy how it all works out. It come full circle. It's a blessing in itself. You know, I was looking for an opportunity at another club and then oddly enough, it's the one my brother's at. So yeah, I take it as a blessing and get to play footy again with him and got the chance to play his first NRL game last week and I got to experience it with him. So yeah, it's sort of pinched yourself moment. Yeah, it's great.

[00:09:31] I don't want to focus too much on Nephi just because we're talking to you, but it was a breakout debut for him and the family must be through the roof. Yeah, we knew he was ready. He could have had his opportunity last year and would he have performed the same? We don't know. It's all hypothetical, but we knew he was ready. He's had four years of experience with a top grade and he's been knocking on the door for a long time. Just comes with opportunity. Nothing against Nico Triggi. Like we know what they bring to the table. They're quality players. And Nephi was another quality player just sitting behind him.

[00:10:01] So once his opportunity came, he took it with both hands and I'm really happy that he performed the way he did. One could say the same thing for you against the Bulldogs. You were headline news the next day because you were outstanding and really filled that role while Blake was at Oregon. You were on the origin duty. Tell us about the Bulldogs game. What are your memories? Was it a big stage, a magic round? Well, with it being my second position, it's not my preferred position. I just went back to the basics. If I do my job, make my tackles, clean passes off the deck, get all my effort areas right.

[00:10:30] When those moments come, then I'll nail them. So if I just made all my tackles, nailed my passes, and when the moments arise, the score try or be in the picture when the ball goes up in the air, then I can pick those moments. So yeah, I didn't put too much thought into it. Just do my role for the team first. And when those moments come to express yourself, yeah, I'll back myself. So I was pretty happy with that performance. I feel like it was an all-around complete performance for myself, and that's something I'm strong for every week. Now you've become a bit of a fan favorite.

[00:10:59] People watching lower grades, obviously your first grade experience. You're really pushing for that. I guess it's 18-man squad now with the six-man bench. But you must feel like as the weeks go on, the more confident you get within yourself and the experience and how you fit in the fitzy system. Yeah, 100%. 100%. Just with the training and weeks go by, I find myself connecting more with the players, with the coaches, being able to express myself amongst the boys and building trust. At the end of the day, they know what I bring to the table.

[00:11:29] And as time goes on, I get to build more connections and more trust with them. So yeah, as the weeks go by, I'm just going to keep putting my best foot forward for the boys. You're still only a young fella, by the way. Yeah, 23. That's pretty young, in footy days. Yeah, 100%. That's an advantage for myself, I guess. But yeah, I had a taste early. You know, I've debuted three years ago. So I had a taste early and to sit on the sideline for another three years before getting another real crack at it, it makes me more hungry and more ready.

[00:11:58] Because I thought I was ready at the time and it's still a question I ask myself, am I ready? I guess it just makes me double down on the basics. You know, nail my fundamentals, just do my role for the team and then when the moments come, express myself. It's a big game this week. You are named on the bench. We'll see what happens at game time. But local derby, it's the biggest one on the year for the fans. What are your thoughts going into this one? Yeah, there's a fire burning within. They got us last year. Yeah.

[00:12:28] It's one of those games where if you don't prepare mentally, you don't perform the best of your ability. So we've knuckled down from day one this week. We know Dragons aren't going to roll over for us. They always come out and want to throw punches first. So we're ready. We're ready this year. Last year I don't think we prepared quite as right. And we're going to get that right this year. So come kickoff time, you know, we're throwing the first punch. We're going to introduce ourselves to the game first. And yes, it might get push and shove. It's expected. You know, it's an emotional game. Yeah.

[00:12:58] It means a lot to both teams. But in the day, if we just do our job and apply our game plan to them, apply pressure, I'm sure we'll get up, come up. I could talk to you all day, my friend, but you haven't got all day. Thanks for your time. Thank you, sir. Another time. Nice to meet you, Pep. SharkCast is supported by the best and most honest real estate agent in the Sutherland Shire, Jason Hawes from Crips & Crips Real Estate. He's an expert in the Carring Bar region and has his eye all across the Shire.

[00:13:25] Lifelong Sharks fan and supporter of this podcast, if you're looking to buy or sell in the region, the person you need to be talking to is Jason Hawes from Crips & Crips Real Estate. Call him on 0410 417 450. That's 0410 417 450. Jason Hawes, Crips & Crips Real Estate. Sharkies! Sharkies!

[00:14:03] Back in the Shire. Turn your porch lights off because we're coming home with a trophy.