Caption: Injured winger Jorge Taufua is assisted from Brookvale Oval by trainer Chris Bailey last Thursday night. Photo: NRL Photos
Sea Eagles prop Siosaia Vave has describes the loss of injured winger Jorge Taufua as a massive blow, saying he is the team’s own ‘Manu Vatuvei’ for his strong carries with the ball.
Taufua is expected to be out for the next six weeks after undergoing surgery today on a fractured collarbone suffered in the loss to Parramatta Eels at Brookvale Oval last Thursday night. Taufua has scored 53 tries in 90 NRL matches for Manly.
“Jorge is a massive loss, 100 per cent,’’ Vave said this morning.
“Coming out of our red zone (quarter), he is one of the best. He is like our own Manu (from the Warriors). He does really well. We are going to miss him coming out of trouble with ‘Skivi’ (Steve Matai).
“Hopefully he gets back bigger and stronger. He already is a big boy.”
Five-eighth Dylan Walker admitted Taufua was a big loss and feels Brayden Wiliame, who has scored six tries in the past two games in the Intrust Super Premiership, is the man to come into the side for Monday’s ANZAC Day clash with Newcastle.
“Jorge is a great winger, he comes out of our own end and takes some tough carries,’’ Walker said.
“To miss him for the next six weeks is going to massive for us. We have to adapt to that. We have some other great players who can play wing and can do the job.
“Brayden has played there before and knows the structure and the team plays. I wouldn’t be too surprised if Brayden came back onto the wing.”
Forward Blake Leary said Taufua was respected for his tough carries and also supported the call for Wiliame.
“Jorge gets the ball rolling really well. (At) the beginning of sets, he is one of the best in getting the team on the front foot,’’ Leary said.
“Brayden has been playing really well. It would be good to see Brayden get out there.”
ROUND 8 ANZAC Day
Newcastle Knights v Manly Sea Eagles
Hunter Stadium
Monday April 25
Gates open: 11.30am
NYC: 11.45am
ANZAC Ceremony: 1.50pm
NRL: 2pm
