Jorge Taufua is as laid back and relaxed as they come, even when talking about playing through the pain of a collarbone injury.
The less fuss, the better, for the popular Manly Warringah winger. In his mind, the team comes first.
Taufua underwent surgery on his right collarbone following the round seven loss to Parramatta Eels at Brookvale Oval.
He spent four weeks on the sidelines before undergoing a clean-up procedure on a post-surgery infection.
However, the injury continues to cause the winger plenty of discomfort. Each week, the Sea Eagles medical staff assess him, but in Taufua’s mind, it is a case of playing through the physical pain.
“I have to get the plate out but if I get it out now, then I miss the rest of the year. At the moment, it is a game by game thing,’’ Taufua said.
“The surgeon keeps ringing me to get it done, but I just keep brushing it off.
“Against the Warriors, it just started pouring out blood at half-time and I had to change my jersey.
“I was a bit worried I wasn’t going to finish the game.”
Taufua said although players don’t like using injuries as excuses, he admitted it was ‘hard to deal with at times’. He has regular discussions with Coach Trent Barrett about delaying the inevitable surgery.
“I can’t even lift weights. Everything has to be done with one arm,’’ he revealed.
“Trent says it is totally up to me. If I need it done, I have to get it done. Trent has put the trust in me.
“I want to keep playing. I like the vibe we have in the team at the moment, and I want to be a part of that.”
Pain or no pain, there is plenty to gain with the finals on the line. It's the Taufua way.
