Zeb Taia says he’s drawing inspiration from Gorden Tallis to help prolong NRL career

ZEB Taia idolised Gorden Tallis and now the Titans veteran is drawing inspiration from the former Queensland skipper’s darkest days to prolong his NRL career.

Zeb Taia during Gold Coast Titans training at Pizzey Park, Burleigh. Pics Adam Head

ZEB Taia idolised Gorden Tallis and now the Titans veteran is drawing inspiration from the former Queensland skipper’s darkest days to prolong his NRL career.

Taia runs on to AAMI Park to face the Storm as the Titans’ miracle man who, like his childhood hero Tallis, defied medical wisdom to keep his top-grade dreams alive.

Sydney-born Taia was a 16-year-old at the St Clair Comets in Penrith when his idol Tallis, at his peak at the Broncos, suffered a career-threatening neck injury in 2001.

A decade later, Taia found himself in the same predicament as Tallis after a routine check-up found two bulging discs in his neck during his stint at the Newcastle Knights.

Tallis was 28 when doctors suggested he retire. Taia was 26. The Broncos legend opted for fusion surgery and bravely played on for a further three years.

Now Taia, five years after having two titanium discs inserted into his neck, is back in the NRL at the Titans, displaying the type of commitment he admired in Queensland’s Raging Bull.

Taia will play his second game for the Titans on Sunday after three seasons with Super League club Catalans.

“(Tallis) went through his own injuries, but I loved the way he played the game, he was so aggressive and he never took a backward step,’’ Taia said.

Zeb Taia in action during round one against the Knights. Pics Adam Head

“I’m not saying I can play like Gorden Tallis but I try to have his mentality. He was awesome to watch and he’s an inspiration to me with what he went through in his career.’’

It only took a text message from across the world to lure Taia to the Gold Coast. The industrious back-rower was happy enough starring for Catalans and had just signed a two-year upgrade when he was contacted last year by Titans assistant coach Rohan Smith.

It was the big break Taia craved and while he turns 32 in October, the former Kiwi Test forward believes his neck can withstand the weekly punishment of the NRL.

“I definitely feel I’ve got more years in me,” said Taia, who has played 108 NRL games.

“I do little things to help my neck and my body. I take two multivitamins a day and I take fish oil tablets to help my joints.

“I try not to think about my neck too much because it’s a mental thing I have to get past.

“A couple of specialists told me to retire but I was only 26 and I said there’s no way I’m retiring at that age.

“I’m 31 now but I still think I can match it with the best players in the NRL.

“I’ve learnt ways to look after myself and I wish I knew how to look after my body properly 10 years ago. The little 1 per centres are helping my prolong my career.’’

Taia dismissed concerns he would not cope with the pace of the NRL as he confronts a star-studded Storm side led by Maroons skipper Cameron Smith.

“I knew I had the time to come back and make it in the NRL again,” he said. “It was really just assessing last year whether my body could handle it and be ready for the tough pre-seasons in the NRL.

“But I thought ‘yep, I’m up for it’. I was thinking about some of the players who are the same age as me and they are going really well in the NRL, so that was an inspiration for me.’’

Originally published as Zeb Taia says he’s drawing inspiration from Gorden Tallis to help prolong NRL career