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Wests Tigers winger Taniela Tuiaki still cracking jokes as he recovers from broken ankle
By Steve Gee From: The Daily Telegraph November 11, 2009 12:00AM
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A BROKEN ankle torpedoed his season and derailed Wests Tigers' finals hopes.
But as Taniela Tuiaki prepares to make the first steps in his recovery, the devastating winger can still make jokes.
"Lucky I don't step as much as other wingers," Tuiaki laughs. "It's just one way. I run straight."
If there was a measure to test the strength of a pinned bone, it might be the force the 105kg winger will put on his right fibula when he runs again after Christmas.
Tuiaki is one of many stars facing months of rehabilitation after late-season surgery - and the clock is already ticking towards the start of the 2010 season.
The big winger's story is being told across just about every NRL club. It's the normal rhythm of the game as they slog through the tough winter months and then book in for surgery before the Mad Monday hangover has cleared.
Despite being on crutches for another month after spending 10 weeks in a compression boot, Tuiaki is set to return in round one.
The 27-year-old had his surgery in late September after snapping his ankle during the Tigers' 26-18 loss to Parramatta. Doctors pinned the tibia and fibula together, as well as inserting a screw to hold together his ligament.
The screw was removed a fortnight ago, allowing Tuiaki to drive his car and stretch the ankle, and he will soon begin strengthening work with Tigers physiotherapist Andrew Leeds.
The Kiwi international was in sight of claiming the Wests Tigers' tryscoring record when his season ended in round 24\. It also cost him his Test jersey for New Zealand in the Four Nations.
"It was bad timing. I had a great season - 2008 was quiet, but this year I stepped it up. It was a big blow," Tuiaki said. "Everybody was talking up the (Parramatta) game and if we won we would have gone through to the top eight.
"But we lost that game and when I got injured the boys sort of lost it a bit."
Restricted to upper body and single leg work, Tuiaki has been back in the gym with teammates this week and he is determined to make amends for the way his 2009 season ended.
"Missing out on the remaining games and the Four Nations was a bit disappointing, but I can't do much about it," he said.
"I just have to work hard on my rehab and look forward to next year.
"The doctor and all the medical staff say everything is going well.
"I'm looking forward to round one."
First step will be to kickstart the tryscoring run and claim the club record. Last year he eclipsed Pat Richards' season record of 20 and he is one short of Daniel Fitzhenry's all-time mark of 43.
"It is going to be one of my goals to try to break it," Tuiaki said.
"I was one off (this year) so if I can try to beat 21 tries it will be good."
Tigers assistant coach Peter Gentle said the setback would make Tuiaki an even tougher proposition next year.
"I think he's hungry now," Gentle said. "He has missed his Test jumper and he knows he could have carried us to the semis."
By Steve Gee From: The Daily Telegraph November 11, 2009 12:00AM
\
\
A BROKEN ankle torpedoed his season and derailed Wests Tigers' finals hopes.
But as Taniela Tuiaki prepares to make the first steps in his recovery, the devastating winger can still make jokes.
"Lucky I don't step as much as other wingers," Tuiaki laughs. "It's just one way. I run straight."
If there was a measure to test the strength of a pinned bone, it might be the force the 105kg winger will put on his right fibula when he runs again after Christmas.
Tuiaki is one of many stars facing months of rehabilitation after late-season surgery - and the clock is already ticking towards the start of the 2010 season.
The big winger's story is being told across just about every NRL club. It's the normal rhythm of the game as they slog through the tough winter months and then book in for surgery before the Mad Monday hangover has cleared.
Despite being on crutches for another month after spending 10 weeks in a compression boot, Tuiaki is set to return in round one.
The 27-year-old had his surgery in late September after snapping his ankle during the Tigers' 26-18 loss to Parramatta. Doctors pinned the tibia and fibula together, as well as inserting a screw to hold together his ligament.
The screw was removed a fortnight ago, allowing Tuiaki to drive his car and stretch the ankle, and he will soon begin strengthening work with Tigers physiotherapist Andrew Leeds.
The Kiwi international was in sight of claiming the Wests Tigers' tryscoring record when his season ended in round 24\. It also cost him his Test jersey for New Zealand in the Four Nations.
"It was bad timing. I had a great season - 2008 was quiet, but this year I stepped it up. It was a big blow," Tuiaki said. "Everybody was talking up the (Parramatta) game and if we won we would have gone through to the top eight.
"But we lost that game and when I got injured the boys sort of lost it a bit."
Restricted to upper body and single leg work, Tuiaki has been back in the gym with teammates this week and he is determined to make amends for the way his 2009 season ended.
"Missing out on the remaining games and the Four Nations was a bit disappointing, but I can't do much about it," he said.
"I just have to work hard on my rehab and look forward to next year.
"The doctor and all the medical staff say everything is going well.
"I'm looking forward to round one."
First step will be to kickstart the tryscoring run and claim the club record. Last year he eclipsed Pat Richards' season record of 20 and he is one short of Daniel Fitzhenry's all-time mark of 43.
"It is going to be one of my goals to try to break it," Tuiaki said.
"I was one off (this year) so if I can try to beat 21 tries it will be good."
Tigers assistant coach Peter Gentle said the setback would make Tuiaki an even tougher proposition next year.
"I think he's hungry now," Gentle said. "He has missed his Test jumper and he knows he could have carried us to the semis."
