Jorge Taufua attracts 2 million online hits for Cameron Munster tackle
Jorge Taufua’s hit on Cameron Munster was so big even NBA legend Kobe Bryant felt it, after the Manly winger’s demolition job went viral on social media in the US.
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First he smashed Cameron Munster, now Manly’s Jorge Taufua has taken down NBA legend Kobe Bryant.
The Sea Eagles winger’s ferocious hit on Munster during Melbourne’s win over Manly on Saturday night has gone global and by Tuesday evening had been watched by a staggering two million people.
The tackle was initially posted on the NRL’s Instagram page before being shared by the New York-based social media site House of Highlights, which has a whopping 14 million followers.
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More than 1.4 million followers viewed Taufua’s hit within the first three hours of it being posted on House of Highlights.
The House of Highlights posted a clip of Bryant an hour between the Taufua video appeared — but the Manly winger had 150,000 more views.
NBA star Bradley Beal commented “Noooooo” on the video, with Munster replying: “That moment I realised I f---- up.”
The tackle attracted another 40,000 hits on House of Highlights’ Twitter page. It was tagged “Laid him out’’.
Most comments praised the unbelievable toughness and raw power of Taufua and rugby league.
Simondavis21 posted: “Post more NRL hits!”
Haroon K said: “American sports have way too much protection. I wanna see NFL football without helmets, pads and stuff.”
Taufua said he enjoyed the hit.
“The crowd was roaring, they were going crazy,” Taufua said.
“I feel it can pick up our team. I hope it can change the game.
“I was trying to keep cool. It’s good to have that defensive mentality — I just go off instinct. I just did my best and gave it my all.
“As he played the ball, I kind of tapped his head and said: ‘Are you good?’ He said: “Yeah man, I’m sweet’.
“I’m not a grubby player after those kinds of hits. I am always wary about the welfare of the player. Some come up and shake my hand and say: ‘You got me, man’. There is a lot of mutual respect out there.
“It’s good to be that solid defender on the wing. If I can pull it off, I hope he (Manly coach Des Hasler) is happy.”
Taufua will line up again for Manly in Friday night’s huge match against Parramatta where he mark another giant winger, Eels star Blake Ferguson.
“He has done it all — he is very rangy and very solid,” Taufua said. “Hopefully my shoulders come hold up this week. Maybe I’ll just tell (Brad) Parker to go get him.
“Parramatta has some good strike wingers and we are definitely up for that challenge.”
Originally published as Jorge Taufua attracts 2 million online hits for Cameron Munster tackle
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