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Newcastle’s Tautau Moga’s pain ahead of another injury comeback

As Tautau Moga prepares for another injury comeback he’s opened up on his mental struggles and his desire to be remembered for more than his knee injuries.

Moga is aiming to make his comeback in Newcastle’s final trial.
Moga is aiming to make his comeback in Newcastle’s final trial.

Tautau Moga broke down in the arms of wife Toni in the away dressing sheds at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.

Moments before grounding the ball for the opening try against St George Illawarra in April, Moga’s knee gave way.

“I knew straight away,” Moga said. “It was just a little swerve. I pushed off it but when I put the ball down I knew. I was in shock. It was something so little but I knew straight away.

“Not much was going through my head but I was just hoping the physio would tell me it was all OK. It didn’t sink in until I saw my wife and my little one (Zara). It all hit me then and I just broke down.”

Moga’s career has been dotted by knee injuries. Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images.
Moga’s career has been dotted by knee injuries. Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images.

Moga had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee three times before. This time it was on his good knee. When he underwent the operation on his left knee he also had a preventive procedure to increase the stability of his other one.

The post-operation left Moga “in a dark place”. He stayed housebound for about three weeks, unable to find the desire to respond to the many text messages, phone calls and social media messages he received.

Facebook and Instagram was deleted and his phone was rarely within touching distance.

“It took me to dark places,” Moga said. “Some days you ask yourself ‘why me and why do I have to go through this again’?

“So many people reached out. For some reason I just needed time to wrap my head around it all. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I didn’t want to come into training. I didn’t pick up the phone calls. My phone was there but it just wasn’t around. I told my wife’s sister's partner to take it.

The barnstorming centre has struggled to stay fit. AAP Image/Craig Golding.
The barnstorming centre has struggled to stay fit. AAP Image/Craig Golding.

“I needed to get my mind right. That’s something I wanted to get right before I started speaking with anyone.

“I feel bad for everyone who tried to get in contact with me.”

Newcastle teammate Herman Ese’ese was a rare constant presence throughout the initial stages of the injury. The pair shared a close bond during their time in Brisbane before joining Newcastle together this year. It was a frank conversation with Ese’ese which helped snap Moga’s funk.

“He told me all the boys wanted to see me and that’s when I thought it was time to see the boys and start catching up with people,” Moga said. “It was a good conversation and I pretty much turned the corner from there.”

Moga is aiming to make his comeback in Newcastle’s final trial.
Moga is aiming to make his comeback in Newcastle’s final trial.

Moga’s NRL career has been plagued by extended stints on the sidelines. Since making his debut for the Roosters as an 18-year-old he has managed just 63 games in seven years across four clubs.

His latest injury came as he completed his best season in the top grade, featuring in all of Brisbane’s 27 games last year before inking a rich three-year deal to join Newcastle.

“Quitting never crossed my mind once,” Moga said. “Never. No way. It’s something I haven’t told anyone but there was no way I was going to quit. I don’t want to give up. I think a lot of people thought I was going to quit and throw in the towel. Because in general life, when people keep going over the same obstacles they think ‘it’s still there, why isn’t it gone’?

“I feel like I have so much more to offer.”

Moga has resumed training.
Moga has resumed training.

Moga has resumed training with his Knights teammates but has been limited to fitness. He has been able to step off both feet and will be in full skills training before Christmas. Moga expects to start contact training when Newcastle return in the new year and has marked down the Knights’ trial against Cronulla on March 2 as his return to the field.

“I want to do the club proud,” Moga said. “If you sat on the sidelines as long as I have, you just want to play. I have confidence in my body.”

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Originally published as Newcastle’s Tautau Moga’s pain ahead of another injury comeback

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/knights/newcastle-centre-tautau-mogas-pain-ahead-of-another-injury-comeback/news-story/7bec5ea080a255548e60fe0ad7dffc86