Taufua relishes return to Tasman
It hasn’t taken Jordan Taufua long to justify his Tasman Makos’ recall.
The rugged No 8 was at the core of Tasman’s desperate 31-29 Mitre 10 Cup rugby win over Waikato in Hamilton on Sunday and looking every inch the dynamic ball runner that’s made him a favourite with New Zealand crowds over the past few seasons.
It’s been five years since Taufua last wore the Tasman strip after he was loaned to the union from Canterbury in 2012. But having played in all 10 regular season championship games for Tasman that year, he was controversially recalled by Canterbury ahead of the playoffs.
He spent the next season with Canterbury before the Aucklandborn loosie headed back north to join Counties Manukau in 2014. He’s back in Tasman now and after a successful Super Rugby campaign with the Crusaders, is absolutely determined to replicate his championship-winning efforts with the Makos.
He wasn’t involved in Tasman’s first up loss to Canterbury and like the rest of his stunned team-mates, struggled to come to terms with their second round loss to championship team Manawatu.
However, things started to fall nicely into place for the bullocking 108kg No 8 against Waikato with his powerful running and early second half try instrumental in helping Tasman to a crucial season-reviving win. Only a missed conversion attempt by Waikato goalkicker Mattie Landsdowne after the hooter allowed Tasman to sneak home.
‘‘We were lucky at the end ... we started strong, but the game’s 80 minutes, not 60,’’ said a relieved Taufua. ‘‘We’ve still got a lot to do, but this was a step in the right direction.
‘‘I think in the Manawatu game, the effort was there, it was just our accuracy at times and forcing a lot of passes which Manawatu capitalised on. I think we defended for about 33 minutes of that game, so you can’t do a lot without the ball.
‘‘We took that into this week and were a lot clearer. Execution was one of our biggest focuses and we went out there and did it for the first 60 [minutes] but the last 20 it kind of just fell away. So if we play like the start of that second half for the rest of the half, we can go a long way.’’
He said that everyone had been working hard to achieve some consistency and cohesion.
‘‘We’ve just got to be smarter about the way we play and I guess combinations as well, we’ve got a lot of boys coming from different Super Rugby franchises and also some young guys stepping up.
‘‘It’s just [about] getting together and working together and getting that clarity because we’ve got a good bunch of boys this season and once we click we could do anything. So we’ve just got to get to that stage, but we’re heading in the right direction right now.’’
He’s delighted to back with Tasman. He’d always intended to return at some stage.
‘‘It’s been a few years, but it’s been good. I know most of the boys from Super Rugby level, so it’s been good to be back in Nelson and also to put the [Tasman Makos] jersey back on.
‘‘It was probably the right time to come back to be part of the region. I’ve been gone for five years and I told myself I’d be back, it was just a matter of when.’’
While he looks to have dibs on the No 8 jersey at this early stage of the season, Taufua was excited about the potential of Tasman’s loose forward mix.
‘‘We’ve got quality loose forwards this season. You’ve got Shannon Frizell who can cover No 6 and lock, you’ve got Vernon Fredericks who can play all three [positions] and you’ve got Pete Samu who can play six, seven and eight as well.
‘‘Ethan [Blackadder] played awesome at the weekend and he’s six or lock so I guess for me, it’s just wherever I’m needed and wherever I can fit in and bring my game. I’m not really too fussed about where my position is as long as I’m out there.’’
Taufua’s aware of what a resurgent Wellington side is likely to bring to Sunday’s fourth round contest in Blenheim.
‘‘They’ll definitely be a tough team, Wellington are a quality side. With the forward pack they have and young guys like [hooker Asafo] Aumua stepping up, that just shows the talent they have. They’ve got a lively backline as well so it’ll be a big challenge for us this week and I’m definitely looking forward to it.
‘‘The hardest hurdle is always getting that first win and now we’ve got it, we’ve just got to keep on going and what better way than to do it than against Wellington this weekend in Blenheim.’’