A Tongan terror Australian rugby must chase or face losing forever
Former Wallabies international Stephen Hoiles has tipped Tonga’s rugby powerbrokers to chase Mahe Vailanu should Australia not go after the Waratahs hooker.
Vailanu hasn’t been the first pick for the Waratahs, though that’s not to say the Tongan-born, New Zealand-educated, Australian-based player hasn’t starred.
David Porecki has been the Waratahs’ primary hooker with Vailanu and Tolu Latu in reserve in that order.
Vailanu is eligible to play for Tonga but could conceivably play for Australia too.
Speaking on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts, Hoiles hailed Vailanu’s performance despite being on the bench more often than not.
“I’m going to throw it out there – Mahe is becoming probably one of the top three hookers in the country. I know he’s coming off the bench, but he’s exceptional,” said Hoiles.
“He’s eligible for Tonga. I don’t know what his plans are. Is he going to stay at the ‘Tahs? I know that Tonga would be chasing him for a World Cup.
“We better use him soon or we’ll lose him.”
Hoiles said that while Vailanu was by no means prolific early in his career, the 26-year-old has made significant strides forward in his development.
He noted a lack of mistakes and an ability to slot in without
disrupting the scrum or lineout throws.
“He’s got better and better,” said Hoiles.
“Porecki has been outstanding and that’s his strength, his set piece is phenomenal, but are you noticing Mahe miss throws? Are you noticing the scrum struggle when he comes on?
“It’s a position where you’ve got to do your time in the saddle to get better. You’ve got to be humiliated and you’ve got to be humbled as a hooker – scrummaging and throwing. That happened a few years ago when I was coaching sides and his lineout throws weren’t excellent, but he’s getting coached well. He’s got to be considered now.”
Morgan Turinui also hailed Vailanu’s influence as an “attacking option” and “mini ball player” in the Waratahs’ win over the Fijian Drua.
- Wide World of Sports