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Our New mean mofo bench
Martin Taupau, James Gavet, Ava Seumanufagai and Suauso give new teeth to Wests Tigers pack
TAKE an ex-Kiwi International enforcer, add three warriors from the tough streets of Auckland, and finish with a 110kg Wellington product.
It’s a recipe for the NRL’s most intimidating bench, an all-NZ interchange that’s restored long lost fear factor to Wests Tigers’ forwards.
Martin Taupau, James Gavet, Ava Seumanufagai and Suauso Sue boast just 68 games between them, but their combined “aggression and muscle” has transformed the complexion of a pack that was routinely bullied in 2013.
All four players were raised across the Tasman, yet have found a home at Concord under the guidance of new defensive coach and ex-Kiwi firebrand David Kidwell.
Seumanufagai and Sue made their debuts under trying circumstances last year, with the club reeling from injuries to starting front rowers Aaron Woods and Keith Galloway.
But with the NSW Origin pair now fit — and Bulldogs recruits Gavet and Taupau added to the mix — the Tigers have bred a killer streak that’s proved too much for Gold Coast and South Sydney to handle over the past fortnight.
Raised in Wellington before getting an NRL chance at Parramatta five years ago, Seumanufagai revealed he’d watched Kidwell’s YouTube highlights reel for inspiration.
Seumanufagai and Sue made their debuts under trying circumstances last year, with the club reeling from injuries to starting front rowers Aaron Woods and Keith Galloway.
But with the NSW Origin pair now fit — and Bulldogs recruits Gavet and Taupau added to the mix — the Tigers have bred a killer streak that’s proved too much for Gold Coast and South Sydney to handle over the past fortnight.
Raised in Wellington before getting an NRL chance at Parramatta five years ago, Seumanufagai revealed he’d watched Kidwell’s YouTube highlights reel for inspiration.
“David Kidwell was a very aggressive player and that’s something he’s brought to the table for this team,” Seumanufagai said.
“We talked about adding aggression and muscle over the off-season. With Woods and Galloway fit, we’ve now got some size and it’s becoming very competitive for spots in the team.”
The evidence of the transformation was abundant last Friday night, when the new-look Tigers minced South Sydney’s highly-rated pack.
Although their discipline was borderline, with Gavet placed on report for kneeing, the bare-knuckle approach has sounded a clear message that the Tigers aren’t a team to be toyed with in 2014.
Veteran Braith Anasta described the Rabbitohs result as club defining, declaring: “A win against a top team like Souths has really changed the whole complex of everything.”
Anasta added: “We really struggled to get respect from other teams. Teams would roll through and we didn’t have the size, regardless of the players we had, we didn’t have that size, punch and experience. To have a bit of both now is helping us.
“Taupau and Gavet have had a real big pre-season. They add that physicality and aggression and they intimidate teams. We don’t take a backward step when we make that interchange, we sort of pick up some momentum if anything. They’ve been a key factor in our turnaround the last few weeks and hopefully they can continue their form off the bench.”
With Woods and Galloway playing in tandem, the team’s overall win rate soars from 47 to 64 per cent.
They’re unbeaten in both starts with the duo leading from the front this season, a record that will go on the line for Saturday’s clash against New Zealand in Seumanufagai’s home town of Wellington.
“My parents and most of my family are still over there,” the 22-year-old said. “I’m struggling to get enough tickets.”
Our New mean mofo bench
Martin Taupau, James Gavet, Ava Seumanufagai and Suauso give new teeth to Wests Tigers pack
TAKE an ex-Kiwi International enforcer, add three warriors from the tough streets of Auckland, and finish with a 110kg Wellington product.
It’s a recipe for the NRL’s most intimidating bench, an all-NZ interchange that’s restored long lost fear factor to Wests Tigers’ forwards.
Martin Taupau, James Gavet, Ava Seumanufagai and Suauso Sue boast just 68 games between them, but their combined “aggression and muscle” has transformed the complexion of a pack that was routinely bullied in 2013.
All four players were raised across the Tasman, yet have found a home at Concord under the guidance of new defensive coach and ex-Kiwi firebrand David Kidwell.
Seumanufagai and Sue made their debuts under trying circumstances last year, with the club reeling from injuries to starting front rowers Aaron Woods and Keith Galloway.
But with the NSW Origin pair now fit — and Bulldogs recruits Gavet and Taupau added to the mix — the Tigers have bred a killer streak that’s proved too much for Gold Coast and South Sydney to handle over the past fortnight.
Raised in Wellington before getting an NRL chance at Parramatta five years ago, Seumanufagai revealed he’d watched Kidwell’s YouTube highlights reel for inspiration.
Seumanufagai and Sue made their debuts under trying circumstances last year, with the club reeling from injuries to starting front rowers Aaron Woods and Keith Galloway.
But with the NSW Origin pair now fit — and Bulldogs recruits Gavet and Taupau added to the mix — the Tigers have bred a killer streak that’s proved too much for Gold Coast and South Sydney to handle over the past fortnight.
Raised in Wellington before getting an NRL chance at Parramatta five years ago, Seumanufagai revealed he’d watched Kidwell’s YouTube highlights reel for inspiration.
“David Kidwell was a very aggressive player and that’s something he’s brought to the table for this team,” Seumanufagai said.
“We talked about adding aggression and muscle over the off-season. With Woods and Galloway fit, we’ve now got some size and it’s becoming very competitive for spots in the team.”
The evidence of the transformation was abundant last Friday night, when the new-look Tigers minced South Sydney’s highly-rated pack.
Although their discipline was borderline, with Gavet placed on report for kneeing, the bare-knuckle approach has sounded a clear message that the Tigers aren’t a team to be toyed with in 2014.
Veteran Braith Anasta described the Rabbitohs result as club defining, declaring: “A win against a top team like Souths has really changed the whole complex of everything.”
Anasta added: “We really struggled to get respect from other teams. Teams would roll through and we didn’t have the size, regardless of the players we had, we didn’t have that size, punch and experience. To have a bit of both now is helping us.
“Taupau and Gavet have had a real big pre-season. They add that physicality and aggression and they intimidate teams. We don’t take a backward step when we make that interchange, we sort of pick up some momentum if anything. They’ve been a key factor in our turnaround the last few weeks and hopefully they can continue their form off the bench.”
With Woods and Galloway playing in tandem, the team’s overall win rate soars from 47 to 64 per cent.
They’re unbeaten in both starts with the duo leading from the front this season, a record that will go on the line for Saturday’s clash against New Zealand in Seumanufagai’s home town of Wellington.
“My parents and most of my family are still over there,” the 22-year-old said. “I’m struggling to get enough tickets.”
