When Jorge Taufua lines up again for the Sea Eagles next season, don’t expect any surprised post-try celebrations.
For Taufua has never been a fan of outlandish celebrations. It’s not his style. But Manly fans already knew that about the Tongan international winger.
“I sometimes get comments if I'm even interested in the game whilst playing, and even team-mates and friends always jokingly mention to me about showing no emotion after tries or moments,’’ Taufua said.
“But that’s the way I've always been. I just go about my business in a low key manner and give all credit to my team-mates because they provide the opportunities.
“The last thing you want is a loud celebration of some sort, only to lose at full-time. I'd rather wait till then to do so.
“It's exciting for me to see my team-mates cross over so that’s probably the only time you'll see some sort of reaction.”
Fortunately for Manly fans, Taufua looks set to add to his record of 70 tries in 113 games after the Sea Eagles recently re-signed him until the end of the 2019 season.
Taufua had already crossed for eight tries in 12 games in 2017 until the experienced winger suffered a season ending injury to his right knee in the round 13 win over Canberra Raiders at Lottoland.
Coach Trent Barrett and his Manly team-mates sorely missed the aggressive hit-ups and strong running style of Taufua, who was off-contract at the end of the season.
“Trent told me when the injury happened to not worry about my future as he would be looking to keep me, and to just focus on the rehab. It put my mind at ease a little bit,’’ Taufua said.
“I am very grateful for the faith and the support Trent and the Sea Eagles have shown in me. It was a massive relief when the deal was finalised. I love playing for Manly.
“When the injury happened, I was pretty devastated as I thought I was playing well after having one of my best ever pre-seasons.
“The first couple of weeks were pretty difficult. You work so hard over the previous eight months to be out there with the team.
“I watched at home to begin with but once I was able to walk a bit better, I started to show my face around training and at the games.
“The back end of the season was really exciting and to get into the eight, and to even be a chance for the top four, was a credit to the boys. It was awesome to watch.”
Taufua says his rehab work has been coming along well.
“I started changing a little bit of direction in my running, whereas before I was more like in a straight line,’’ Taufua said.
“The bright side is I have a lot of time to recover and to get the knee right for the trials and round one.”
