Play for ‘a coach that wanted’ him: Murray Taulagi on Samoa defection

Murray Taulagi has revealed the reason behind his sensational defection to Samoa, citing a desire to represent his family heritage and play for “a coach that wanted” him.

Murray Taulagi was part of Mal Meninga’s World Cup squad.

Samoa winger Murray Taulagi revealed he had not spoken to Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga since his sensational defection to the island nation, which came less than three weeks after last donning the green and gold.

Meninga handed Taulagi his international debut during the Kangaroos Rugby League World Cup triumph a season ago but is set to face down his protege in Saturday’s opening Test of the Pacific Cup.

The Maroons and Cowboys flyer cited a desire to represent his heritage and to play for “a coach that wanted” him as the driving forces for his shocking exit from the Kangaroos.

Taulagi said that even while wearing the green and gold of the Australian PM’s XIII last month he was already dreaming of playing for Samoa.

“You don’t hesitate to make that decision when you want to wear the blue,” Taulagi said.

Murray Taulagi was part of Mal Meninga’s World Cup squad.

“I spoke to my parents and (said that) I wanted to come here and represent the blue jersey and our small nation.

“Then our coach Benny Gardiner gave me a call before the team list got named and he wanted me to be there and be a part of this team.

“With him pushing me to come here as well, I thought that was pretty good from him and I wanted to be under a coach that wanted me.

“I didn’t really speak to Mal (Meninga). I just made the decision that I wanted to come and play here and I haven’t heard from Mal since.”

Both of Taulagi’s parents were born in Samoa and his older brother Jamie-Jerry Taulagi has represented the nation on six occasions in rugby union.

The soon-to-debut 24-year-old said his brother had encouraged him to dive head first into the cultural aspects of camp and reconnect with his roots.

“He did it in a different code but I’m very honoured and grateful that I get the opportunity to do it too,” Taulagi said.

Both of Taulagi’s parents were born in Samoa and his older brother Jamie-Jerry Taulagi has represented the nation on six occasions in rugby union. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“He was very excited. He just wanted me to learn a bit more about my Samoan background.

“He’s probably the more fluent one in Samoan, he just said make sure you listen and learn more about our heritage and our culture. He was very stoked for me and I’m happy to be here.

“It’s an opportunity for myself to represent my family, but also the people back in Samoa.

“It’s a different feeling being in this camp and definitely a special feeling being here with some of the boys, so I’m really excited to go out there and make my Samoan debut.”

Toa Samoa take on the Australian Kangaroos on Saturday at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, kicking off at 7.10pm local time immediately following a women’s test match between Australia and New Zealand.

Originally published as Play for ‘a coach that wanted’ him: Murray Taulagi on Samoa defection