Taumata steps it up for Bond
IT has been a rollercoaster start to their Queensland Premier Rugby season but Bond University have found a “real success story” in the form of flyhalf Dion Taumata.
The former Australian Schoolboys representative was set to be locked in a duel with Mitch Third for the club’s No.10 jersey until the latter succumbed to a knee injury during pre-season that required surgery.
Instead of easing off in the absence of competition for spots, Taumata embraced the added responsibility to take his game to another level.
“He has worked really hard,” coach Brad Harris said.
“He has been into the gym two or three mornings a week doing extra sessions with Pula (Kolokihakaufisi, strength and conditioning coach), in and around getting his body ready to cope with 80 minutes.
“He has dropped a heap of weight and is doing a lot of skills work extras.
“For a young bloke that’s probably an easy thing to do but Dion is juggling full-time work and a young family and he is still committing to all of those extras to improve himself for the team.”
Once a prodigy destined for higher honours, the 24-yearold took a step back from rugby to focus on his young family but is now impressing on the footy field again.
Harris hopes they have also accidentally made a masterstroke in moving fullback Joey Fittock into the centres to cover for the injured Corbin Kiernan.
“One of the benefits there is he gets his hands on the ball probably one pass earlier than he does at 15,” he said.
Winger Jordan Hughes is out with a hamstring injury and has been replaced by Adam Gauder. Bond are seventh on the ladder heading into their away clash with Souths this afternoon.