Wikipedia

Jorge Taufua

Jorge Taufua(/dʒɔːrdʒtəfuːə/) (born 23 October 1991) is a professionalrugby leaguefootballer who plays as awingerforBradford Bullsin theChampionship.He has played for bothTongaandSamoaat international level.

Jorge Taufua
Personal information
Born(1991-10-23)23 October 1991(age 33)
Canberra,Australian Capital Territory,Australia
Height184 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight105 kg (16 st 7 lb)
Playing information
PositionWing,Centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2012–22 Manly Sea Eagles 161 87 0 0 348
2022–23 Wakefield Trinity 14 1 0 0 4
2023– Bradford Bulls 17 8 0 0 32
Total 192 96 0 0 384
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2013–14 NSW City 2 0 0 0 0
2013–17 Tonga 5 4 0 0 16
2018–19 Samoa 3 3 0 0 4
Source:[1]
As of 24 June 2024

Taufua has previously played for theManly Warringah Sea Eaglesin theNRLand for theNew South Wales Cityside.

Background

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Taufua was born inCanberra, Australian Capital Territory,Australia to a Tongan father and a New Zealand mother of Samoan descent.[2]Jorge has 12 siblings including his "half" siblings from his father's side, most of them were born inCanberra, Australian Capital Territory.

Taufua played his junior football for the Toongabbie Tigers andWentworthville Magpieswhilst attendingThe Hills Sports High Schoolbefore being signed by theParramatta Eels.

Playing career

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Early career

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Taufua played for the Eels'Toyota Cup (Under-20s)team in2010.

Taufua playing for theWentworthville Magpiesin 2010.

In 2011, Taufua signed with theManly Warringah Sea Eagles.He played for the Sea Eagles'Toyota Cupteam in2011before moving on to the Sea Eagles'NSW Cupreserve-grade team in2012.[3]

2012

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In round 4 of the2012 NRL season,Manly Warringah head coachGeoff Tooveyselected Taufua to make hisNRLdebut from the interchange bench for Manly Warringah against theSt George Illawarra Dragonsbut he didn't get on the field in the club's 6-17 loss atKogarah Oval.[4]

In round 5 against theParramatta Eels,Taufua made his official NRL debut for theManly Warringah Sea Eagleson thewingand scored a try in Manly's 29-20 loss atParramatta Stadium.[5]

Since being selected on the wing, Taufua established himself as Manly's left winger, replacing long time winger, and2008 NRL Grand Finalhero,Michael Robertson,who had left the club. On 20 June 2012, Taufua re-signed with the club for two years to the end of the 2014 season.[6]

While some considered Taufua unlucky to miss out on the Rookie of the Year award for his impressive debut season, it was towards the end of the season and during the finals series that Taufua's potential became fully evident.

Despite many of his teammates showing the effects of a season crippled by injuries and off-field dramas, Taufua produced a string of astonishing performances, including a man-of-the-match performance in Manly-Warringah's 22-12 semi final win over theNorth Queensland Cowboys.

Unfortunately for Taufua, and Manly, they saved their worst performance of the season for the Preliminary Final against theMelbourne StormatAAMI Parkjust a week after defeating North Queensland 22-12 atSFS.[7]

Manly-Warringah bumbled and fumbled their way through a savage 40-12 loss to the eventual NRL premiers.[8]Taufua finished his debut year in the [NRL with him being named the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 2012 NRL season rookie of the year with him playing in 23 matches and scoring 10 tries.[9]On 19 October 2012, Taufua was charged with assault for allegedly spitting at aQueensland Policeofficer at a night club on theGold Coast.[10]Taufua was then banned in court from entering any licensed venues inQueensland.As a result, a special court hearing was needed (held on 7 March 2013) to allow him to play for Manly-Warringah in their opening match of the2013 NRL seasonagainst theBrisbane BroncosatSuncorp Stadium,which is a licensed venue. The outcome of the hearing saw a variation to the original ruling. While still banned from entering any licensed venues, Taufua was allowed into such venues for the purposes of his employment as a professionalrugby leaguefootballer.[11]

2013

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Taufua started 2013 with well by scoring 7 tries in the first 5 matches, including ahat-trickin Manly's 32-0 win over theNewcastle KnightsatBrookvale Ovalin round 2.[12]

In April 2014, Taufua earned his first representative selection when he played on thewingforNSW City Originin their 18-12 loss toNSW Country OrigininCoffs Harbour.[13]Taufua's form on the wing for Manly also saw him spoken as a possible selection forNew South Walesin theState of Origin series,though he ultimately missed selection.

Taufua played on the wing in Manly's 26-18 Grand Final loss to theSydney Roostersscoring the first try in the match.[14][15]

Taufua finished the2013 NRL seasonwith him played 26 matches and being Manly's joint top tryscorer withDavid Williamson 20 tries.

Taufua making a tackle for Tonga against Scotland at the 2013 RLWC

Taufua played forTongain the2013 Rugby League World Cupplaying in all 3 matches and scoring a try against theCook Islandsin the 22-16 win atLeigh Sports Village.[16]

2014

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Taufua in 2014

In February 2014, Taufua was selected in the Sea Eagles inaugural2014 Auckland Ninessquad.[17]Taufua was selected to play for City Origin on thewingagainst Country Origin in the 26-all draw inDubbo.[18]

A day before Manly's Finals Week 2 match against theCanterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs,Taufua was dropped by coachGeoff Tooveyafter he was struggling under the high ball in Manly-Warringah's 40-24 loss toSouth Sydneya week earlier in Week 1 of the 2014 finals series.[19][20]Taufua finished off the2014 NRL seasonwith him playing in 16 matches and scoring 10 tries for Manly-Warringah.

2015

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On 21 March, Taufua was involved in an alcohol fuelled fight withCanterbury-Bankstown BulldogsplayerJacob Lokooutside the Hotel Chambers on Elizabeth Street in the Sydney Central Business District.[21]

Taufua was later hit with a $10,000 fine and an alcohol ban till 31 December.[22]

On 2 May, he played forTongain theirPolynesian Cuptest-match clash against Pacific rivals Samoa, playing on the wing and scoring 2 tries in Tonga's 16-18 loss atCbus Super Stadium.As he was about to score a third try that would put Tonga in front by two points with 3 minutes left remaining in the match, he was taken into touch from a hit by Samoan forwardsFrank PritchardandSam Kasiano.[23]He finished off the2015 seasonhaving played in 17 matches and scoring 10 tries for the Sea Eagles.[24]On 17 October, he represented Tonga again, this time in theirAsia-Pacific Qualifiermatch against theCook Islandsfor the2017 Rugby League World Cup,playing on the wing and scoring a try in Tonga's 28-8 win atCampbelltown Stadium.[25]

2016

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On 1 February, Taufua was named in Manly's2016 NRL Auckland Ninessquad.[26]

2017

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In round 13, Taufua suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear and was ruled out for the season.[27]

2018

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On March 27, Taufua was ruled out for 8 weeks after suffering a broken collarbone. In total, Taufua made 12 appearances for Manly in 2018 as the club finished second last on the table and narrowly avoided the wooden spoon.[28]

2019

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Taufua made 24 appearances for Manly in the2019 NRL seasonas the club finished sixth on the table and qualified for the finals. Taufua played in both of Manly's finals games including their elimination final loss againstSouth SydneyatANZ Stadium.Taufua was also responsible for some of the biggest tackles seen in the 2019 season including a tackle which even made the news in theUnited States of Americaafter Taufua hit Melbourne playerCameron Munsterwith a hard driving tackle.[29][30][31][32]

2020

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In round 17 of the2020 NRL season,Taufua scored a try but was later taken from the field with a torn calf injury during Manly's 34-32 loss against theWests TigersatBrookvale Oval.When asked in the post match press conference about Taufua, Manly head coachDes Haslersaid "He's torn a calf so you'd think he won't be back [this year]. Add it to the list".[33]

2021 & 2022

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After missing the entire2021 NRL seasonthrough injury, Taufua was called into the Manly side for the first time in almost two years for the clubs round 12 match againstMelbournein the2022 NRL season.Taufua scored a try in Manly's 28-8 loss.

On 7 July 2022, Taufua was granted an immediate release from his Manly contract to joinSuper LeaguesideWakefield Trinityuntil the end of 2023. Taufua made his Wakefield Trinity debut in round 19 of the 2022 Super League season againstHull Kingston Rovers.The following week, he scored his first try for the club in a 13-12 loss againstSt Helens RFC.On 27 July, it was announced that Taufua would miss the remainder of the season after having surgery for an arm injury.[34][35]

2023

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On 21 June, Taufua signed a contract to join RFL Championship sideBradfordfor the remainder of the season.[36]

2024

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On 31 October, Taufua signed a one year extension with Bradford until the end of the 2025 season.[37]

References

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  1. ^"Jorge Taufua".Rugby League Project.
  2. ^Chammas, Michael (5 April 2013)."Islands calling: everyone wants a piece of Manly star".Sydney Morning Herald.Retrieved18 March2018.
  3. ^"Jorge TAUFUA".Archived fromthe originalon 18 June 2012.Retrieved9 July2012.
  4. ^"Jorge Goes Distance".Manly-daily.whereilive.com.au.Retrieved18 October2015.
  5. ^"Jarryd Hayne Back to his Best as Parramatta Beat Manly 29-20".Foxpsorts.com.au.Retrieved18 October2015.
  6. ^"Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Tie Up Winger Jorge Taufua to New Two Year Deal".Dailytelegraph.com.au.Retrieved18 October2015.
  7. ^"Cowboys Fume We Were Robbed".Theaustralian.com.au.Retrieved18 October2015.
  8. ^"The Lowdown Storm v Sea Eagles".Heraldsun.com.au.Retrieved18 October2015.
  9. ^Massoud, Josh (15 September 2012)."Jorge Taufua's been a revelation for the Sea Eagles in 2012".News.com.au.Retrieved18 October2015.
  10. ^"Sea Eagles Winger Jorge Taufua Charged with Assault".Heraldsun.com.au.Retrieved18 October2015.
  11. ^"This is One Way to Stop a Manly Sea Eagles Player".Dailytelegraph.com.au.Retrieved18 October2015.
  12. ^"Hardened Manly Sea Eagles Too Strong for Quiet Newcastle Knights".Foxpsorts.com.au.Retrieved18 October2015.
  13. ^"Country Overcome City in Close Clash".Foxpsorts.com.au.Retrieved18 October2015.
  14. ^"Roosters v Sea Eagles".Dailytelegraph.com.au.Retrieved18 October2015.
  15. ^"NRL Grand Final player ratings".NRL.com. 7 October 2013.Retrieved18 October2015.
  16. ^"BBC Sport - Rugby League World Cup: Tonga 22-16 Cook Islands".Bbc.com. 5 November 2013.Retrieved18 October2015.
  17. ^"Squads For Auckland Nines".Rugby League Week. 14 February 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 15 January 2016.Retrieved18 October2015.
  18. ^"Hulking Centre Jamal Idris Stars in Thrilling City/Country Draw".Dailytelegraph.com.au.Retrieved18 October2015.
  19. ^"Rabbitohs Race Towards Grand final Day with Won over Sea Eagles".Dailytelegraph.com.au.Retrieved18 October2015.
  20. ^Michael Carayannis (18 September 2014)."Manly Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey set to drop winger Jorge Taufua after high-ball blunders".Smh.com.au.Retrieved18 October2015.
  21. ^Michael Carayannis (23 March 2015)."Witness says Jacob Loko was boasting about wild brawl with Jorge Taufua".Smh.com.au.Retrieved6 January2016.
  22. ^"Jorge Taufua Hit With Alcohol Ban; Fined $10,000 Following Brawl With Jacob LokoCustom Match List".Dailytelegraph.com.au.Retrieved6 January2016.
  23. ^"Video: Sam Kasiano try-saving tackle on Jorge Taufua secures Pacific Test win for Samoa against Tonga".Nrl.com.Retrieved2 May2015.
  24. ^"Custom Match List".Rugby League Project. 21 October 2015.Retrieved6 January2016.
  25. ^"Tonga qualify for 2017 World Cup".NRL.com.17 October 2015.Retrieved6 January2016.
  26. ^"Manly names new look Nines squad".NRL.com.Retrieved1 February2016.
  27. ^"Jorge Taufua itching to get back to scoring tries for the Manly Sea Eagles".NRL. 22 January 2018.Retrieved19 May2022.
  28. ^"Another blow for Manly with star winger Jorge Taufua out for eight weeks".www.foxsports.com.au.27 March 2018.
  29. ^"Rabbitohs dig deep to eliminate Sea Eagles in finals thriller".NRL.
  30. ^"South Sydney Rabbitohs beat Manly Sea Eagles 34-26 in NRL semi-final".ABC News.20 September 2019.
  31. ^"Under-strength Sea Eagles send Sharks packing".NRL.
  32. ^"NRL star Jorge Taufua catches America's eye after ferocious hit".NZ Herald.
  33. ^"Des Hasler scolds depleted Sea Eagles following Tigers collapse as injury crisis claims Jorge Taufua".www.sportingnews.com.5 September 2020.
  34. ^"Wakefield Trinity confirm capture of Manly Sea Eagles wrecking ball".www.examinerlive.co.uk.
  35. ^"Jorge Taufua: Wakefield Trinity winger ruled out for rest of the season".BBC Sport.
  36. ^"Bradford Bulls bring Jorge Taufua in after Wakefield exit".www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk.21 June 2023.
  37. ^"Former NRL back extends deal with Championship outfit".Love Rugby League.31 October 2024.Retrieved14 November2024.
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