CRACKING THE CODE
UNION CONVERT TAULAGI READY FOR HOMECOMING
JUST two years ago Murray Taulagi was a typical Auckland kid who dreamt of being an All Black.
But little did he know that a meeting with Cowboys recruitment boss Clint Zammit would start a chain reaction which has thrust him into the Junior Kangaroos team to play the Kiwis in his home city tomorrow.
Even the 19- year- old struggles to grasp his rise after he signed a meagre contract when he caught Zammit’s eye playing for Brisbane High in 2016.
Within a year- and- a- half the outside back has forced his way into the Cowboys top squad, played a full Queensland Cup season with Northern Pride against grown men and helped Queensland win its first- ever under- 20 State of Origin title.
He had to make the tough choice between the Kangaroos and Kiwis this year, and ultimately chose the country that gave him his first crack at the 13- man game.
“I’ve been a union boy all my life and my first contract with the Cows last year was my first full- year playing league,” Taulagi said.
“I performed well that ( schoolboys) game and he ( Zammit) gave me a ring and said they were pretty interested, and asked me to think about it.
“It was one of the best options I had at the time, and I’m very thankful I picked league over union.”
Zammit said Taulagi’s raw talent stood out as he dominated Nudgee playing fullback in what would prove to be his final game in rugby union.
“He had the physical attributes to get there. He’s one of the best athletes I’ve seen for that age,” Zammit said.
“He moved well and had good balance, he’s six- foot three. I look for those young blokes with upside, the athlete first.
“I asked him if he had played league and he said he hadn’t. I said ‘ how about I give you a contract for a year, and see how you like it?’
“Sometimes you take a punt on those players and because he’d never played, I knew he had a lot of upside.
“He’s probably exceeded expectations this year. He’s gone straight into playing against men ( with the Pride), making decisions and bringing the ball back into contact, which he’s been wonderful at.
“Within a year- and- a- half of playing the game, he’s playing for the Junior Roos.”
In a roundabout way, the Cowboys have the Queensland Reds to thank for the Otahahu Rugby Union Club product entering their radar.
His elder brother, Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, played 10 games for the Reds from 2014 to 2016, and the family moved across the ditch to help support his fledgling career.
“I moved ( to Australia) when I was 11 or 12 years old. It was a family decision and it’s one of the best ones we’ve made,” Taulagi said.
“I started off with nothing and only came over because my brother was here first. We all moved over to be with him and I got a scholarship to go to Brisbane State High, and it went from there.”
Taulagi will be one of six Cowboys on show in to- morrow’s clash with halfback Jake Clifford and winger Enari Tuala also chosen for the Roos, while hooker Sean Mullany, prop Emry Pere and lock Peter Hola will represent the Kiwis.
“He’ll start on the wing but he’ll be a left centre at some point, he’s got the skill set to play there,” Zammit said.