Manly’s Jorge Taufua on his highlights reel going viral
Jorge Taufua is proud that the likes of NBA star Bradley Beal, and Hollywood actor Michael B. Jordan are fans of his tackling. But his toughest job is keeping Manly coach Des Hasler happy.
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Hugh Jackman isn’t the only member of the Manly Sea Eagles family with a celebrity following.
Jorge Taufua has been turning heads in the US ever since his bone-rattling shot on Melbourne’s Cameron Munster went viral.
Racking up a whopping 2.75 million hits online, the Manly winger’s tackle has got the attention of Hollywood actors, NBA stars and NFL players.
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While Sea Eagles fan Jackman continues to wow fans on the big screen, Taufua has made his mark on the Instagram account of US social media giant House of Highlights, which has 14 million followers.
On the day of his tackle at Brookvale Oval recently, Taufua pulled more hits than video clips featuring Kobe Bryant, Jay Z and Beyonce.
Stars of the NBA and NFL, as well as American actors, have since commented on, or liked, the hit, providing some great exposure for rugby league.
Taufua will be out to inflict more of the same pain on South Sydney in Friday night’s elimination final at ANZ Stadium.
“A lot of messages came through from close friends from other clubs and they were like ‘bro, we made it’,” Taufua said. “I was like, ‘yeah, bro, we did’.
“I was buzzing out at the comments on there from superstars. Bradley Beal plays for the (Washington) Wizards (NBA), he commented.
“So did JR Smith, he won a ring with the (Cleveland) Cavs (NBA). (NFL legend) Victor Cruz, also, he used to play for the (New York) Giants.
“There were also a few actors. I think Michael B. Jordan was one. To see that come from over there, it was awesome.
“I’m not really on social media that much but then ‘Sirro’ (teammate Curtis Sironen) was in the gym and said ‘you’re in the House of Highlights’.
“I said ‘what’ because there is only one House of Highlights. Wow. So I jumped on and had a look. I don’t know, man, I was lost for words.
“It’s a mad page and I am always keen to see what is on it, so to see NRL and the game on there … it was awesome.
“I couldn’t stop watching it. It was two, three weeks ago but even last week I was still watching it.
“Yeah man, it was a funny week, all the hype around it. I was laughing about the comments, which said ‘What the hell is this sport?’ and ‘That’s assault’.
“I’m not on Twitter but I heard it was going off on there as well. (Those hits) are the culture and the norm here. It was good to see the game out there.”
As every rugby league fan in Australia knows, Taufua has been reeling of the big hits all season to become the NRL’s most destructive defender.
“My mentality is if I’m going to go, then go all out and live with whatever comes,’’ he said.
“On the edges, it’s different to how you defend anywhere else. We only make two or three tackles a game. It’s about timing and getting the best hit you can.
“I get beaten with a lot of passes over the top, kicks behind, so I have to be wary of everything.
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But Dessie (Hasler) has just got me aggressive and backing myself. It’s a contact sport, why not?
“We are up in their face. That’s our mentality, not give them time with the ball.
“I have just been lucky with a few of them this year.
“People think it’s normal for me to do that now but it is just a spur-of-the-moment thing. Every time I run out fans are like “hit this guy, hit that guy’.
“But that’s not really how it works. I appreciate all the support and hype around it but you have to keep a level head.”