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Australian schoolboy rugby star has no regrets over career path
By AAP
Queensland winger Murray Taulagi was recruited to rugby league while playing rugby union at school but has no regrets about his chosen path, despite catching up with two of his favourite Wallabies this week.
Ahead of game two of the State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night the Maroons are in camp at Sanctuary Cove, where the Wallabies are also based and bunkered down under the tutelage of coach Eddie Jones.
In 2016 Taulagi was playing for Brisbane State High in union when former North Queensland recruitment chief Clint Zammit was watching. Zammit signed him to a three-year deal the next day. The rest is history, with the 24-year-old Cowboy now one of the game's best wingers.
Taulagi mingled with the Wallabies, including two of his former schoolmates, although there was no attempt to recruit him on this occasion.
"It was pretty special," Taulagi said.
"I'm pretty fortunate to have a couple of mates in the Wallabies - Jordan Petaia and Samu Kerevi. They're both from the same school (at Brisbane State High).
"I also played First XV with Jordan, so it's always good to catch up with them.
"They've been pretty happy for me where I'm at, and I'm happy with how they're going too.
"We have that pretty special bond where we always communicate to each other no matter where we are in the world."
Taulagi's older brother is former Queensland Reds outside back Jamie-Jerry Taulagi but he said he had no desire to return to the game he grew up playing.
"I wouldn't change a thing," Taulagi said.
"I am pretty happy where I am and won't be going back (to rugby) any time soon."
Taulagi can't wait to rip in in his first Origin game at Suncorp Stadium after being forced to withdraw last year from the game three decider with COVID. He watched the Maroons' 22-12 win from the team hotel in isolation.
"It was such a good feeling after that game though," Taulagi said.
"I got a phone call from the boys after and was on Facetime. Big Paps (Josh Papalii) and Jeremiah (Nanai) called me.
"I was jealous. I wished I was there … but it is what it is.
"Just being in the locker room and witnessing the atmosphere would have been something special.
"I am very fortunate to be given the opportunity to pull on the Maroon jersey and especially to be playing at Suncorp, so I'm very excited."
Taulagi played in the 44-12 game-two loss in 2022 but experienced his first Origin win in Adelaide in game one this year when the Maroons prevailed 26-18.
"It just took a couple of days for it to really sink in after that win and we have moved past that now and are focusing on this game here. We're taking it as nil-all," he said.
"Right at this moment, we're just worrying about ourselves and not the outside noise."
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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