NRL: The 'special' relationship between Raiders star Iosia Soliola and No. 1 fan Simon Tayoun
Meet the Canberra Raiders' No.1 fan.
He's the man behind the drum of the Raiders' iconic Viking clap, and now Simon Tayoun is spurring the Green Machine into their first Grand Final appearance in 25-years.
He never misses a single game, which is impressive considering he lives in Western Sydney's Bass Hill.
After migrating from Lebanon over 30-years-ago Tayoun fell in love with the Raiders after they were the first team he had ever seen play rugby league.
Simon Tayoun Nine
"They win, they lose, they come first, second, last, I always support my boys," Tayoun tells Nine.
"I love my wife, I love my boys, their names are on my body in tattoo, and that's why I have the Raiders there too."
Tayoun and Raiders star Iosia Soliola lead the Raiders' iconic post-victory Viking clap in what has blossomed into a unique relationship between the two unlikely friends.
"He's awesome," Soliola tells Nine. "You know, he travels down everywhere [for us].
Soliola and Tayoun Nine
Tayoun said each Raider had a special place in his heart but couldn't help but feel a special affinity for Soliola.
"I love all of them but Sia especially, he's so special. I don't know there is something special about him," he said.
Tayoun hopes he and Soliola will be able to lead the Raiders Viking clap one last time should they emerge victorious in Sunday's NRL grand final.
"If we play the drum again for the grand final, this would be very special," Tayoun said.
The Raiders clash with the Roosters on Sunday for the 2019 NRL Premiership.
