Manny Snooks, 17, left is off to Australia on November 1 to play for the Canberra Raiders league team.

﻿A South Taranaki teen will soon head off to Australia to chase his rugby league dream with the Canberra Raiders.

Manny Snooks,17, of Ngaruahine Rangi and Nga Puhi descent, was born in Hāwera before moving with family to Whangarei.

He will fly to the Australian capital on November 1 and straight into pre-season training.

Steven Snooks Manny Snooks, 17, left is off to Australia on November 1 to play for the Canberra Raiders league team.

"The dream would be to play in the NRL for sure," he said. "It'll be hard as there will be heaps of running but it'll be OK. I like to try keep myself in shape."

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Snooks, who plays second row/lock, played his first game of rugby league for the Hāwera Hawks when he was 5 years old before switching over to play for the Normanby/ Okiawa Knights until he moved to Whangarei aged 11.

He has been in numerous age group teams since including the NZ Māori under-16s, NZ Vikings Under-18s and Northland Māori under-19s and caught the eye of South Sydney Rabbitohs, who invited him to a training camp.

"I really enjoy the physicality of league and running and all the fitness," he said.

"I like the bonding, meeting new players as well as the travel."

He was spotted by Pacific Sports Management agent at a national rugby league competition in 2016 in Rotorua. One week later he signed for the Raiders.

The talented teen doesn't just play league. He was part of both New Zealand and Auckland's AFL teams and also played some rugby.

Snooks said a few teams including the Melbourne Storm, North Queensland Cowboys and NZ Warriors were chasing him but in the end Canberra won out.

"I like the team environment and a few guys from up north and NZ are there playing there, some in first grade," he said.

"We gelled really well together and there was a real sense of brotherhood there."

His new contract will see him initially train with the Raiders SG Ball team (under 18's) and all going well Snooks hoped he'd make the clubs Under-20 side.

"Then I can hopefully come home and play the Warriors," he said.

While he may be chasing his ultimate dream across the ditch, there were will be one thing he'll miss about not being at home.

Mum Gael, Dad Steven and siblings Milano,15, T.J, 13, and Sarelle, 6.

"It'll be my family I miss most, especially my little sister. I take her everywhere," he said.