NRL fans show up West Tigers and league to organise fundraising dinner for Taniela Tuiaki

SIX years after his ankle shattered, Taniela Tuiaki is finally getting his fundraiser. But not by Wests Tigers. Nor the NRL.

Taniela Tuiaki

SIX years after his ankle shattered, Taniela Tuiaki is finally getting his fundraiser. But not by Wests Tigers. Nor the NRL.

No, The Daily Telegraph can reveal a group of fed up Tigers fans have banded together to organise a charity night for the forgotten winger, to be held in Sydney this December.

The supporters are also responsible for an online fundraiser, which, in little over a week, has raised some $13,000 for Tuiaki — with hopes of closing off this Sunday at 15 grand.

As revealed on these pages last June, the former New Zealand international remains permanently disabled by the game after a sickening ankle injury, back in 2009, saw him undergo three operations and two years of unsuccessful rehabilitation.

While conjecture surrounds what assistance the 33-year-old has received, Tuiaki has never been given the fundraising dinner which was promised when he was forced into retirement.

Now living in Darwin, where he rents and works in a juvenile detention centre, the 2009 Dally M winger insists he has received almost no compensation from the game or his old club.

Worse, he needs to undergo another round of surgery on his ankle.

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Tuiaki on crutches during the end of his time with Wests Tigers.

Both the NRL and Wests Tigers were approached about contributing to the fundraiser, but declined. It’s understood, however, the club remains in contact with Tuiaki regarding funds for his upcoming medical costs.

Regardless, fans are now pushing ahead with the charity dinner after The Daily Telegraph again raised Tuiaki’s plight last month.

Ironically, the case is extremely similar to that of Tigers teammate Simon Dwyer, who was also forgotten by the game after tearing five nerves from his spinal column in an attempted tackle.

Having also missed out on a fundraising dinner, as promised by Wests Tigers, Kangaroo legend Brad Fittler stepped in to organise a night which eventually raised $200,000.

It was at the same dinner where certain league types promised the same for the flanker dubbed ‘Tank’.

Tired of empty promises, the fans are now doing it themselves.

Originally published as NRL fans show up West Tigers and league to organise fundraising dinner for Taniela Tuiaki