In 1999 he was named the Melbourne club's rookie of the year, playing from the interchange bench in the Storm's 1999 NRL Grand Final victory. Rua was selected for the New Zealand team to compete in the end of season 1999 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament.
In 1999, he received rookie of the year recognition with the Melbourne club and played a crucial role in their NRL Grand Final victory that year. He was also selected for the New Zealand team to compete in the 1999 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament.