State of Origin 2022: The fear that left Blues rookie Siosifa Talakai ready to walk away from NRL
Blues powerhouse Siosifa Talakai has revealed he had mentally prepared to quit to the NRL and return to his former job as a garbage collector last year. Find out why.
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NSW debutant Siosifa Talakai has revealed he was ready to walk away from the NRL only six months ago.
The hard-running State of Origin star had mentally prepared himself that his career was over and that he would return to his former job as a garbage collector, due to his fear of needles.
The NRL’s game-wide mandate that every player needed to be vaccinated against Covid-19 prior to this season left the Cronulla Sharks wrecking-ball holding out as long as he could to avoid feeling the sting from a needle prick.
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Such was the serious nature of Talakai’s torment, Sharks management allowed the 25-year-old to be the last player to commence pre-season training last December — two weeks later than his intended start date.
Talakai’s private struggle adds further luster to his stunning arrival to rugby league’s biggest stage against Queensland in Perth on Sunday night.
“I was so close to walking away. I was happy to walk away,’’ the Blues debutant said.
“I might have ended up back as a garbo.
“I did think ... this is it.
“In all my life, I can’t ever recall getting a needle. I hate needles. I’m scared of needles.
“I eventually had to grow some nuts and make the call and I’m here now.
“The club stood beside me, (Sharks CEO) Dino (Mezzatesta) and the team, they said take your time.”
As he agonised over the decision of whether to conform with the NRL rules, the father of two said the biggest factor in overcoming his fears were his family.
“My family were relying on my contract and me playing for the Sharks,” Talakai said. “It’s a big part of who I am.”
However, due to his inability to train with the Sharks pre-season squad until he had been inoculated, Talakai relied on his close network to keep fit.
The Mascot Jets junior admits he had let his focus slip at the time, consumed by an obsession with his mobile phone, that ultimately led him to turning off all his social media channels, until only recently reinstalling them.
“I found myself being stuck to my phone and I wasn’t giving as much time to my family as I wanted,’’ Talakai said. “So I got away from it and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
“I changed my priorities because I was glued to my phone.
“I was out of shape last year. I was an Oompa Loompa. And my manager (Tyran Smith) gave it to me straight. I needed that. He pushed me.
“We’d be out running and I’d be at the back struggling.
“He’d run behind me, talking to me about where I should be, compared to where I was.
“I had a good look at my season last year and I needed to change.
“Eating was the big thing. It was junk food and playing on the PlayStation. I was a couch potato really. It wasn’t good.
“Before getting back to the Sharks pre-season training, I was always at Coogee on Saturday mornings running the stairs at 7.15am.
“There’d be a bunch of the NRL boys there with me, Keaon Koloamatangi (Rabbitohs forward), Isaah Papalii (Eels forward) and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors).
“It was what helped me get ready for my best season so far.‘’
Fourth in the NRL for the most tackle busts (70) this season and with the most average run-metres over the past three weeks (154), Talakai has been called into NSW coach Brad Fittler’s game two side for not only his devastating impact from the bench, but his versatility.
Talakai can play in the forward pack, but also at centre or wing.
“As much as I have played well, it’s all off the back of my teammates. I’m just the finisher,’’ Talakai said of his State of Origin debut.
“I just have to catch the ball and run hard.
“I can’t credit my Sharks team enough, our game has changed so much compared to last year.
“I love challenges and this year, moving back to the centres has given me a challenge every week.
“Now my next challenge is beating Queensland. At the start of the year, I wouldn’t have thought I’d be here. So this is an opportunity I’m not going to waste.’’
Why Talakai turned his back on Tonga for Blues
-Michael Carayannis
Barnstorming NSW debutant Siosifa Talakai says he has always dreamt about “sticking it to the Queenslanders”, and now he’ll get his chance after the Blues picked the Cronulla wrecking ball for State of Origin II.
Talakai will be thrust into the Origin arena with a simple task – to destroy the Maroons. The 25-year-old takes his place on the NSW bench as he fulfils a childhood dream. Talakai said he was “shaking” when told of his selection.
“I was in a state of shock,” Talakai said. “I didn’t know how to react. It is a dream come true. I never made NSW teams when I played Harold Matthews, SG Ball or under-20s. It has been a motivator to make it on the big stage.
“I have always been a big NSW fan but I grew up watching in the era where Queensland dominated when they had Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Greg Inglis and Cameron Smith.
“There is nothing more than I have wanted than sticking it to the Queenslander’s. It means everything.
“I have been praying for this. I am ready to do my job for NSW.”
Talakai was always earmarked as a potential star having risen through the ranks at the Rabbitohs. He made his NRL debut as a teenager at South Sydney. But Talakai almost wasted his talents and was set for the rugby league scrap heap as he struggled with the professional demands which come with being an NRL player.
After being cut by the Rabbitohs he eventually found his way to the Newtown Jets following an unsuccessful stint at the Panthers.
He caught the eye at Cronulla’s feeder club and was rewarded with a train and trial contract in 2020 at the Sharks before progressing into the NRL.
Even 12 months ago a NSW debut was unlikely. Talakai said he “would’ve laughed” if you told him this time last year that he would be preparing to play for the Blues.
“Because this time last year I was in poor form,” Talakai said. “I didn’t do a pre-season. I wasn’t in good enough shape to be where I am now. I was carrying injuries.
“After the last 12 months I worked hard. Fitzy (coach Craig Fitzgibbon) and the club backed me. This journey wouldn’t have happened without them or my family.
“I’ve learnt to be confident in myself in the last year. I knew what I had to offer but I wasn’t doing it.
“I wasn’t performing to where I was satisfied and I didn’t take risks like I am now. I was too busy in being in my comfort zone. I needed to be comfortable being uncomfortable. I needed to back myself. I needed to throw that pass or kick that grubber.”
Blues great Luke Lewis – who has worked alongside Talakai at the Sharks – said he was “built for Origin”.
“He is a great selection,” Lewis said. “I’ve seen how hard he has worked at training to get him to this point. He has the ability to change the match and will be able to take it to Queensland.”
Talakai had been picked in the Tongan squad prior to his NSW selection but made it clear he wanted to represent the Blues.
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