Roosters prop Sio Taukeiaho declares himself a certain starter for preliminary final against Souths despite injured ankle
IN an ideal world, injured Roosters prop Sio Taukeiaho wouldn’t play in Saturday night’s preliminary final against South Sydney. But the NRL finals aren’t an ideal world.
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IN an ideal world, Roosters prop Sio Taukeiaho wouldn’t play in Saturday night’s preliminary final against South Sydney.
Taukeiaho’s ankle isn’t fully fit and he would benefit greatly from an extra week of rest.
Talk to the Tongan enforcer, though, and he says there’s no way he is missing this weekend’s grand final qualifier.
Taukeiaho is even prepared to play through the pain against the Rabbitohs.
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“Because it is a do or die for us this week, so I’ll do what I need to lace up the boots and get out there,” Taukeiaho told The Daily Telegraph.
“A preliminary final against Souths — it doesn’t get any better — and I want to be a part of that.
“I’m confident I’ll play.”
Taukeiaho hurt his ankle during the Roosters’ 21-12 win over Cronulla in the first week of the finals.
He has spent the past fortnight working tirelessly on his ankle in a bid to be fit for Saturday’s blockbuster clash against the Rabbitohs.
“I was happy that we had the week off so I could spend the whole time trying to get the swelling down,” he said.
“I’ve also had a lot of treatment and physio, which has got my ankle at 80 per cent at the moment.
“I’m just taking every day slowly and ticking as many boxes as I can to get myself right for a tough and physical battle against Souths.”
With star centre Latrell Mitchell suspended for a week, the Roosters will be without their starting goal kicker.
Luckily Taukeiaho is also equipped in this department and he is ready to step up if needed.
The Auckland-born forward has a 71% goal kicking success rate this season.
“I’ve always put my hand up to goal kick,” he said.
“At the moment I’m just focused on getting myself right.
“But when I’m out there I’m 100 per cent confident that I could handle the goal kicking.”
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