NRL 2021: Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach advice has motivated Manly Sea Eagles forward Taniela Paseka
Manly’s Taniela Paseka is tearing opposition teams apart, and they have one man to blame — front-row legend Steve Roach.
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A cheeky taunt from a footy legend has turned a gentle giant into a Manly wrecking ball.
Sea Eagles prop Taniela Paseka, who weighs 123kg and is 197cm tall, credits former Balmain and Test prop Steve “Blocker” Roach for his newly found aggression and blockbusting form this season.
In commentary on Fox Sports last year, Roach would often question Paseka’s passiveness by saying: “He needs to look at himself in the mirror to see how big he really is.” Well, Paseka has done just that.
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“As ‘Blocker’ Roach always says when commentating, when I watch my games and replays, he always says I have to understand how big I am,” Paseka said. “Well, I finally understand how big I am.
“I’m not shy anymore. I did know (how big I was) but I didn’t believe I could use my body to be as dominant as I can be. Before, I don’t know how to explain it, I was shy and didn’t know how to use my body.
“After watching replays and seeing how big I am, I realise I could do more and use my size, not be afraid to throw my body around because I am bigger than a lot of other players. This year, I found it.
“Now I know I can do a lot more. I have more confidence and am not afraid to do what I want to do.
“I gained a bit of confidence after last season so I had some experience under my belt coming into this season. It’s worked out good for me.”
When told of Paseka’s comments, Roach said: “I’m glad he has woken up, the giant. How good he is, what a player.
“I like what I see. Strong, powerful. I love watching young blokes come through. It can take 60-odd games for a player to understand what he’s doing. He is going to be a great player.”
Manly teammate Haumole Olakau’atu was also clear in his praise for Paseka, who will play Sunday’s match against Cronulla at Redcliffe.
“He’s a freak, he’s a gun,” Olakau’atu said. “He is the one who starts everything for us. He’s the first guy to touch the ball. It all starts with him. The way he is going, it helps us a lot as a team.”
Paseka, 23, briefly dabbled with the idea of shifting to the NFL but has now realised he is a long-term rugby league player.
“I had thought about it and it would have been cool. I thought it would have been a cool experience in life. But I love rugby league and I love what Manly has done for me,” he said.
Meanwhile Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans has bounced back at NRL level after being criticised for his performances in State of Origin this season.
“I have bounced back the only way I know how – that’s go out there and play footy,” Cherry-Evans said. “That’s something I have enjoyed doing my whole career.
“A lot of the stuff that comes with criticism is usually when you’re losing and that’s what happened with Queensland – we lost two games pretty convincingly.
“It’s been great to come back to a winning team here at Manly. I have been really proud of the way I have played for Manly this season. But I’m part of a team and we have a lot of improvement left in us as a team and with me as an individual.
“As long as we keep working together and trying to improve, there will be more good media written not just about myself but also our team and that’s always a good thing.”
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