Over the last few years several polynesian kids have had mixed success in first grade. They all been big lumps and as our bench is very light maybe they can be given another go as interchange players.My old mate Vai "Butterfingers" Toutai certainly could run hard at the line and is a big unit.Apart from not being able to catch,I rate him over Seffa.
The other guy I'm thinking of had a long name, Api Pwrehengawangi or something.Whatever happened to him?
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Api is at the Warriors. Off contract at end of 2015.
Don't we still have Vai?
Oh.... I just remembered we gave Vai that big contract extension, same with giving Seffa an extension. Can Vai run hard and straight? Maybe we can stick him on the bench if we're desperate.
Two words... Taniela Lasalo! An even bigger unit now for Wenty than when he used to get first grade game time!
I've seen him listed for Wenty. Didn't know he had made the top grade before
Wow... who the hell is this guy??????
Eels unveil 'new Folau'
A star in the making ... Eels player Taulima Tautai takes a bomb during Parramatta training. Photograph: Phil Hillyard
PARRAMATTA has unveiled the latest star off Campbelltown's amazing football production line - and they say he could be as good as Minto's favourite son, Israel Folau.
Twenty-year-old Taulima Tautai, Australian born but of Samoan heritage, will make his debut in the centres for the Eels against the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night. "Have you seen the build on him?'' Eels assistant coach David Fairleigh said of the 98kg giant.
Strikingly similar to Folau in looks and build, Tautai is from the same western Sydney football factory as the Storm sensation, Eels clubmate Krisnan Inu, fellow round one debutant Brendan Oake and Junior Kangaroos captain Chris Lawrence.
He has come in to the Eels backline for another fellow south-western Sydney product, Jarryd Hayne, who was suspended after last week's Kings Cross shooting.
Parramatta under-20s and Junior Roos coach Matt Cameron said of the boom Eels star: "He's a massive human, mate.''
Officials traditionally play down the abilities of a first-timer, but Fairleigh and Cameron last night had no problems with comparing him to Folau.
Cameron said "to be honest, I don't think he's that far away'' from Inu, Hayne and Folau. "It might take him a bit longer to get to that stage but he's certainly got all the bits and pieces he needs and the right environment to flourish.
"He's of a similar ilk. For a 20-year-old, he's incredibly strong. He's taking every opportunity and squeezing the life out of it.''
Former Kangaroo Fairleigh enthused: "Look how far Inu has come in a year. He hasn't had a full season of first grade yet.''
"Could 'TT' be as good? There's no reason why he couldn't. He's got everything. He's not as natural as Inu. Not many are. But he certainly makes up for it as a physical player. He's extremely skilful. I'm really looking forward to seeing him play.''
The humble Tautai, born in Liverpool to Samoan immigrants Sale and Tammy, told The Daily Telegraph how he made a career decision to switch from the Western Suburbs Junior League to Edensor Park at Parramatta - at the age of 11.
"I thought it was a good comp,'' he shrugged. "It's going to be pretty intense (on Saturday). I had a few words with the more experienced guys and they said to just enjoy it, take it in, it will be good fun.
"It will be good to play up against the best and see where I'm at. It will be a dream.''
Tautai, who is likely to come into calculations for Samoa in this year's World Cup, was told of his elevation last Thursday. "It was supposed to be hush-hush,'' he said with a shy smile. "... just family. My mum, I think she told the whole world.''
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