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Samisoni Taukei’aho was Tonga’s target ahead of last year’s Rugby World Cup, but the Chiefs hooker has made a commitment to New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and dreams of being an All Black.
The 23-year-old is one of many Pacific Island rugby stars who are eligible to represent two nations, Tonga or New Zealand in his case, and the Waikato forward was wanted by Ikale Tahi’s coach Toutai. Kefu.
Tonga was in the toughest group in the World Cup (England, France, Argentina and the United States) and Kefu was hoping to tempt players like Taukei’aho, Tongans in the NZR system who could represent the nation of the Islands. del Pacífico, who beat the United States 31. -19 for their only victory in Japan.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Waikato hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho running to Auckland’s defense in the Miter 10 Cup.
Taukei’aho did not respond to Kefu’s call and is focused on moving up the ranks with the Chiefs and Waikato, his home since 2013. He has come a long way since he first arrived in Hamilton, when he could not speak English. , and is working towards a law degree at the University of Waikato, although his studies are suspended until next year while he concentrates on rugby.
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The Tonga-born prostitute, who got an international scholarship at Hamilton’s St Paul’s Collegiate after captaining Tonga’s U-15 team in New Zealand, said he just got his New Zealand residency and wants to “have a chance” here.
“If the opportunity arose to represent Tonga later in my career, I would be grateful,” he said. Things.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Samisoni Taukei’aho has been with the Chiefs since 2018.
“Obviously I am in a position where I can represent Tonga or New Zealand, but I don’t analyze it too much. It’s just Waikato and the Chiefs right now. “
Things He understands that Taukei’aho, who is hired until 2021, has been on the All Blacks’ radar since 2018, but is well below the pecking order among the best prostitutes in New Zealand at the moment.
However, Taukei’aho said playing for the All Blacks “would be a dream come true” and the confident hooker clearly believes he can get there.
“It is a dream for every child in New Zealand. I wasn’t really sure I grew up in Tonga, ”he said.
“Then I got into the New Zealand rugby system and obviously Waikato and then the Chiefs. But like I said, I’m not looking too far ahead. “
There is no question of his power and strength with the ball under his arm, and at 183cm and 115kg in weight, Taukei’aho consistently punches through defensive lines with powerful carries, as well as having the natural hooker’s eye for a try. of rolling mauls and burrowing bursts near the line.
Michael Bradley / Getty Images
Samisoni Taukei’aho looks at the try line in Waikato’s loss to the Bay of Plenty last weekend.
With 20-round All Black Nathan Harris absent due to a serious knee injury, Taukei’aho had more playing time with the Chiefs in 2020 after his first appearance in 2018.
One glaring problem throughout the season has been his erratic throwing at the lineout, costing him the role of starting hooker for the Chiefs in their miserable Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign, but he believes he has improved in the Miter 10 Cup with Waikato. .
“It’s had a good following, but it’s about focusing on consistency. If you want to get to the top, you have to hit those lineouts week after week, ”said Taukei’aho.
Taukei’aho has won 42 matches for Waikato in the 10 Miter Cup after debuting in a Ranfurly Shield defense against Thames Valley at Paeroa in 2016.
Waikato, who will face Northland in Kaikohe on Saturday, is guaranteed to finish in the top four of the first division for the first time since 2011, but will aim for a semi-final at home.
The Mooloos are third, but they will need to finish second and can only get there if they finish with more points than Tasman.
Take a look
Miter 10 Cup Premiership: Auckland 34 points, Tasman 29, Waikato 29, Bay of Plenty 26, North Harbor 25, Canterbury 24, Wellington 24.
Saturday: Northland v Waikato, Kaikohe Rugby Club at 2:05 pm; Wellington v Manawatū, Sky Stadium, Wellington at 2:05 pm, Otago v Tasman, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin at 4:35 pm.
Northern region: Mathew Wright, Jordan Hyland, Rene Ranger, Tamati Tua, Jone Macilai, Dan Hawkins, Sam Nock; Sam McNamara, Kara Pryor, Tom Robinson, Sam Caird, Josh Goodhue, Coree Te Whata-Colley, Jordan Olsen (c), Luatangi Li. Bookings: Ross Wright, Tyler Kearns, Kalolo Tuiloma, Kane Jacobson, Matt Matich, Will Grant, Wiseguy Faiane, and Scott Gregory.
Waikato: Bailyn Sullivan, Gideon Wrampling, Quinn Tupaea, Louis Rogers, Valynce House, Beaudein Waaka, Xavier Roe; Liam Messam, Luke Jacobson (c), Hamilton Burr, Samipeni Finau, James Thompson, Josh Joseph-Scott, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris. Bookings: Sekope Lopeti-Moli, Rob Cobb, Sefo Kautai, Adam Thomson, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Matty Lansdown, Liam Coombes-Fabling.
