- Jan 25, 2014
- 40,877
- 29,944
TAUTAU Moga was once rated the next Israel Folau. On Thursday night, he will be happy to settle for playing first grade at the Broncos.
Any hope Moga had of emulating the feats of dual international Folau were dashed by the time he succumbed to a third knee reconstruction at the tender age of 22.
Moga heard the whispers. He was washed up. His knees were shot. It was time to retire. But when the 103kg giant runs out for his Broncos debut against the Sharks at Southern Cross Group Stadium, it will be a vindication of sorts.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed an impressive off-season at Red Hill since quitting the Cowboys and has been rewarded with the Brisbane No. 3 jumper made famous by Steve Renouf.
It will be Moga’s first NRL game in 12 months — and just his eighth in three seasons.
“We brought him here hoping he would play NRL so he has an opportunity now,” Broncos coach Wayne Bennett said.
“Tautau has had a good pre-season, he is injury free. He is a very good athlete and he has a lot of size and speed so he has been impressive.
“He’s very confident and he is not lacking confidence in his knee, so that is the key with those things.”
Kim Bray was a development scout working at the Sydney Roosters when he spotted Moga playing in Ipswich eight years ago.
Moga was 15 and built like Adonis. Bray helped sign him on a spot for $15,000. When former Roosters coach Brian Smith laid eyes on him, he predicted Moga would be a superstar.
The hulking three-quarter scored 18 tries in 13 games in the Roosters’ SG Ball team in 2011. The following season, he was playing NRL at 18. Then came the injuries that destroyed not only his knees, but his confidence.
“I have known Tautau since he was a 15-year-old and he always reminded me of Israel Folau,” Bray said.
“Like Israel, he just had great natural ability and moved so well for a big man. I still keep in touch with Tautau and as a game, we haven’t seen the best of him.”
To cap an emotional week for Moga, he became a father in the lead-up to the Sharks clash.
“He could have easily retired, but moving to the Broncos to be near his family is a bonus for him,” Bray said.
“He got married last year and all of a sudden he’s playing NRL for the Broncos, it’s amazing how it all turns around.
“I think he will be a good signing for the Broncos. If he can stay away from injury, I really believe he can cement that centre spot.
“He should have played for Queensland or New Zealand by now. I honestly believe he is an Origin player in the making. He’s still young enough to have a long NRL career if he can get a good run with injuries.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...s/news-story/0ce53c1003ae97cb880a79fd7e6f1fbf
Any hope Moga had of emulating the feats of dual international Folau were dashed by the time he succumbed to a third knee reconstruction at the tender age of 22.
Moga heard the whispers. He was washed up. His knees were shot. It was time to retire. But when the 103kg giant runs out for his Broncos debut against the Sharks at Southern Cross Group Stadium, it will be a vindication of sorts.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed an impressive off-season at Red Hill since quitting the Cowboys and has been rewarded with the Brisbane No. 3 jumper made famous by Steve Renouf.
It will be Moga’s first NRL game in 12 months — and just his eighth in three seasons.
“We brought him here hoping he would play NRL so he has an opportunity now,” Broncos coach Wayne Bennett said.
“Tautau has had a good pre-season, he is injury free. He is a very good athlete and he has a lot of size and speed so he has been impressive.
“He’s very confident and he is not lacking confidence in his knee, so that is the key with those things.”
Kim Bray was a development scout working at the Sydney Roosters when he spotted Moga playing in Ipswich eight years ago.
Moga was 15 and built like Adonis. Bray helped sign him on a spot for $15,000. When former Roosters coach Brian Smith laid eyes on him, he predicted Moga would be a superstar.
The hulking three-quarter scored 18 tries in 13 games in the Roosters’ SG Ball team in 2011. The following season, he was playing NRL at 18. Then came the injuries that destroyed not only his knees, but his confidence.
“I have known Tautau since he was a 15-year-old and he always reminded me of Israel Folau,” Bray said.
“Like Israel, he just had great natural ability and moved so well for a big man. I still keep in touch with Tautau and as a game, we haven’t seen the best of him.”
To cap an emotional week for Moga, he became a father in the lead-up to the Sharks clash.
“He could have easily retired, but moving to the Broncos to be near his family is a bonus for him,” Bray said.
“He got married last year and all of a sudden he’s playing NRL for the Broncos, it’s amazing how it all turns around.
“I think he will be a good signing for the Broncos. If he can stay away from injury, I really believe he can cement that centre spot.
“He should have played for Queensland or New Zealand by now. I honestly believe he is an Origin player in the making. He’s still young enough to have a long NRL career if he can get a good run with injuries.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...s/news-story/0ce53c1003ae97cb880a79fd7e6f1fbf
