Taqele Naiyaravoro channels Jonah Lomu in tackle-busting run to try line

[Sabre]

**Super Rugby 2015: Taqele Naiyaravoro channels Jonah Lomu in tackle-busting run to try line**
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IT was a try that was eerily similar to the rampaging efforts of Jonah Lomu, perhaps the most destructive ball runner in rugby history.
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There appeared to be nothing on when NSW winger Taqele Naiyaravoro turned back to retrieve a grounded pass from Israel Folau in the Waratahs’ game against the Western Force on Saturday.
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From a flat-footed start, 45 metres out and close to the sideline, the 120-kilogram Naiyaravoro used his immense upper body strength to shrug off the challenge of reserve flyhalf Luke Burton.
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He then started to wind up and had far too much pace for the covering tackle of loosehead prop Pek Cowan, easily skirting the attempted ankle tap.
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But it was the way Naiyaravoro trampled Force fullback Luke Morahan that most evoked memories of the way Lomu bumped off England fullback Mike Catt in New Zealand’s 1995 World Cup semi-final win over England.
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Morahan was left twitching on the turf in Naiyaravoro’s wake much like Catt in South Africa, as the giant NSW winger flew down the flank before diving over in the corner for a remarkable try.
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It was all to no avail, however, with the Force winning 18-11 for their second victory of the season against NSW, the only opponent they’ve managed to conquer this campaign.
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It was the second breath-taking Super 15 try in as many days, after Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock scored an incredible 70-metre solo effort in his team’s rout of the Queenslands Reds.

VIDEO http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/super-rugby/super-rugby-2015-taqele-naiyaravoro-channels-jonah-lomu-in-tackle-busting-run-to-try-line/story-e6frf4qu-1227348765811

 

[grrrrrrrrrr]

Ah taqele and koro. If only !!!

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[AmericanHistoryX]

Taqele & Koribete or Richards & Naqaima?

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[Sabre]

The frustrating thing is Mr T's talent was clear for all to see, yet he was never selected in first grade.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

Willow liked him

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[pHyR3]

The frustrating thing is Mr T's talent was clear for all to see, yet he was never selected in first grade.

thats cause he couldn't defend for S#!@

talked to a mate who is in the junior system at the tahs last year and he said big t's defence was still as bad as its ever been.

dunno if it's improved this year.

 

[Sabre]

The frustrating thing is Mr T's talent was clear for all to see, yet he was never selected in first grade.

thats cause he couldn't defend for S#!@

talked to a mate who is in the junior system at the tahs last year and he said big t's defence was still as bad as its ever been.

dunno if it's improved this year.

He wasn't noted for his defence, you're right. And whilst it wasn't great it wasn't THAT bad either. And instead of discarding him the club should have worked on it with him. It would have been worthwhile.

 

[Russell]

Ah taqele and koro. If only !!!

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Koro was great again today for the Storm. Scored another try.

Unfortunately he let two in by coming off his wing and missed the tackle anyway.

In fact missed a half a dozen tackles and dropped 2 passes ( one nearly led to try).

Think I'll stick with Richards and Kevy.

 

[pHyR3]

The frustrating thing is Mr T's talent was clear for all to see, yet he was never selected in first grade.

thats cause he couldn't defend for S#!@

talked to a mate who is in the junior system at the tahs last year and he said big t's defence was still as bad as its ever been.

dunno if it's improved this year.

He wasn't noted for his defence, you're right. And whilst it wasn't great it wasn't THAT bad either. And instead of discarding him the club should have worked on it with him. It would have been worthwhile.

keeping in mind youre watching him defend in NSW Cup. he would have been absolutely taken advantage of in FG.

worth pursuing with him further obviously, but the tahs were able to offer him a proper position in their lineup while we weren't. same thing with koro.

it happens, doubt the bunnies and panthers are having a cry over losing james roberts.

 

[Tigerdon]

Good try that. After Having to turn around and retrieve the ball from behind him. As opposed to run onto a ball at pace.

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[WswWt]

I can only begin to imagine what could of been after seeing this video.
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http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/australia-rugby/taqele-naiyaravoros-lomu-moment-could-change-his-career-20150510-ggy4ut.html

 

[Tiger_Watto]

me too… when he was with us, he had feet for hands.

 

[sheer64]

He is huge

 

[Guest]

Willow liked him

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Sure did. A shame he wasn't given more of a go but he has a family to look after so I don't begrudge him for that.

 

[grrrrrrrrrr]

If we had a coach at the time instead of potter these players deficiencies may have been iron out. There upside is obvious for all to see.

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[jirskyr]

He's looking fat, even if he's hard to tackle.

 

[WswWt]

me too… when he was with us, he had feet for hands.

So does T-Rex

 

[pHyR3]

me too… when he was with us, he had feet for hands.

So does T-Rex

and hes going pretty crap atm

 

[ed612313]

State Cup is not that far from super 15….. Where both are miles from NRL.
He didn't play 1st grade NRL for a reason... HE WASNT GOOD ENOUGH

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

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Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has challenged Taqele Naiyaravoro to command a Test call-up now that he's free to tour South Africa with the NSW Waratahs.

After being grounded for months, Naiyaravoro was on Thursday granted an Australian sports visa that frees the Fiji-born excitement machine to travel internationally with the Super Rugby champions.

The removal of his restrictions means Naiyaravoro - who's been drawing comparisons with Jonah Lomu following his tackle-busting try against the Western Force last week - can play in the Waratahs' key upcoming matches against the Lions and Cheetahs.

Despite missing two matches in New Zealand, 195cm, 120kg tackle-shedder is the Waratahs' equal leading tryscorer in 2015 - and fast emerging as a cult hero who the titleholders will be desperate to retain next season.

The 23-year-old has a deal with the Scottish Rugby Union to join Edinburgh but is believed to have a get-out clause should he be capped by the Wallabies.

On current form, he is every chance of earning a Test debut, with Cheika admitting he'd be crazy not to consider the Wallabies bolter for the Rugby Championship.

"It would be naive of me not to have a look at him," Cheika said on FoxSports' Rugby HQ on Thursday night.

"You'd have to say he's right up there. He's a profile that we don't have, that big type of winger.

"So he's right up there challenging with the other wingers that have been performing and who have performed for Australia already on last year's spring tour."

Cheika said Naiyaravoro's performances for the Waratahs over the last five rounds of Super Rugby and then hopefully the finals would determine if the former Wests Tigers lower-grade rugby league player was up to Test standard.

"You can see by the way he's been playing that he takes his opportunities when they're presented," Cheika said.

"He's still got a lot to learn in rugby at the top level and the requirements in both attack and defence.

"But when he's got the ball in his hands with a bit of room to move, he's a pretty devastating player.

"But like anyone too, he's going to get marked heavier and teams are going to go after him, so it's how he grows from that."

Former Wallabies captain George Gregan was among the commentators to marvel at his awesome firepower after he bumped off three defenders to score a spectacular five-pointer against the Force.

"He's a great finisher," Gregan said.

"He's someone who can create something out of nothing.

"He's got a turn of pace for a big man too."

The official visa granted to Naiyaravoro by the Department of Immigration is an Australian Temporary Work (Long Stay Activity) visa (subclass 401).

Such a visa is for professional and amateur sportspeople, judges and adjudicators who want to participate in their field of sport in Australia and frees the winger to play the Lions and Cheetahs in rounds 16 and 17 - pending approval of entry visa by the South African government.

The visa is valid for two years and allows Naiyaravoro to come and go as he pleases during that time