This article originally appeared in League Express, read it first by getting your copy in stores every Monday or online at totalrl.com/le
Castleford Tigers winger Denny Solomona insists he is not interested in breaking records, but he is delighted with comparisons to Lesley Vainikolo.
Solomona has scored 35 tries in 25 league outings this season, leaving him just one try short of the record for most tries scored in a regular Super League season.
That record is currently held by Vainikolo and current Leeds captain Danny McGuire, who both scored 36 tries in the 2004 season. The duo also hold a joint record of 38 for tries scored in a Super League season including play-off games.
While Solomona could still break both records, he is content to be thought of in the same context as some of Super League’s greatest players.
“To be compared to a fellow islander like Lesley Vainikolo, and me being a young guy too, is pretty cool for me,” says Solomona.
“I was always looking up to him as a winger when I was younger.
“To be on the left side, and for him to be a left-side player too, I think it is only fair that I try to beat his record.”
Despite that, Solomona is adamant that he won’t be disappointed if he doesn’t write his name into the record books.
“No chance!
“I’m just looking at finishing the year on a high and if we can get that fifth spot that would be great. If not, then we want to have some fun and finish off the year well so we can go into pre-season in good nick.
“I’m more bothered about the team and how we perform week by week. It’s more about focusing on our next job than my job.
“There’s a lot being spoken about the records, but it isn’t bothering me. I’m just going out to do the best that I can, and if I score, I score. If I don’t, then that’s fine as long as the team goes well.”
