Flyweight fullback Jahream Bula has revealed for the first time how he has battled anxiety through the early stages of his NRL career as he looks to help Wests Tigers avoid a third-straight wooden spoon.
Across a grim period for the Tigers, 22-year-old Bula has been one of the standouts in the No.1 jersey over the last two seasons.
While last week’s last-gasp loss to South Sydney was a gut punch for the Tigers, the sight of Bula and fellow youngsters Lachlan Galvin and Tallyn Da Silva ripping through the Rabbitohs defence should give coach Benji Marshall reason for optimism.
Bula’s free-flowing style on field is in contrast with his softly-spoken manner off it.
And he says his naturally reserved persona is in part because of the mental health issues he has encountered on his journey to the NRL.
"I do struggle with anxiety, I get anxious," Bula told AAP.
"It’s not wanting to leave the house, not wanting to socialise, I’m a shy person.
"For me personally it’s a spiritual thing, I’m a faith-based person and (I’m about) being connected to my creator.
"When I’m not reading the word or not praying consistently that’s when I get anxious, when my connection with God is starting to fade away ... but when I come back to him I feel at peace."
As well as his faith - Bula reads a different verse before each game - the young fullback credits Tigers welfare manager Feleti Mateo for helping him fight his demons.
Bula has one of the most diverse backgrounds in the NRL, having been born in Auckland, raised on the Gold Coast and boasting Fijian, Samoan and Indigenous bloodlines.
The fullback is relishing the chance to return to New Zealand on Friday to face the Warriors where his uncle Hitro Okesene has cult hero status.
"I actually haven’t met him before," Bula said of his mother’s brother, who has settled in Cumbria since retiring.
"I loved footy growing up (in Auckland), that was pretty much all we had … I have lots of good memories of growing up there."
Bula is eager to return home and show he, Galvin and Da Silva can continue to stoke the flames of a Tigers revival.
"We’ve shown a lot of good signs and our attack was especially good," Bula said.
"I’m just trying to hang around them and get the ball, that’s the easy part, they do the hard part for me."
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