NRL 2022: Tautau Moga chasing success at the Dragons, his sixth club

Tautau Moga almost felt like the forgotten man of the NRL until the Dragons came calling. Now, lining up at his sixth club, he wants to prove he still has what it takes to make an impact.

Anthony Griffin has secured a one-year extension at the Dragons. Picture: Dragons Media

Tautau Moga has played just one NRL match in 18 months.

The St George Illawarra recruit was restricted to a single appearance for South Sydney last year in the final match of the regular season. At least this time it was not a serious injury that sidelined Moga.

Like a host of players, the cancellation of lower grades also hampered Moga’s efforts to crack a top-grade spot in his only season at the Rabbitohs.

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Still the Dragons came knocking, offering him a one-year deal and a chance to play at his sixth club.

Covid-19 restrictions meant Moga’s negotiations with the Dragons were done via Zoom.

Tautau Moga’s NRL career has been plagued by injuries.

“I just want to play footy,” Moga said. “That’s all I want. I can’t say anything more. I had the opportunity to stay at Souths but, playing-wise, I wanted to see how I could go here.

“Not playing that much footy or getting exposure, I’m grateful for another opportunity.”

Injuries have cruelled Moga’s career, having had four — three to his right — knee reconstructions. He made his debut for the Roosters a decade ago but has netted just 74 top-grade games since.

Despite the setbacks, Moga, 28, has remained steadfast in his desire to return to the NRL.

“It’s the million-dollar question but (the body is) going good,” he said.

“It’s the fittest I’ve been in a while. I’m feeling solid. Retirement was never an option. I just want to play footy and see how I go.

“I’ve done everything in the pre-season. It’s been a bit different; a lot more running but it’s been good. I just want to get out and play footy. I only played one game last year. It’s about going out there and trying to practise what we did in the off-season.”

Moga’s only appearance for the Rabbitohs saw him slot into the forward pack.

“I got told I might have to fill in the middle,” Moga said. “I don’t think I’ll play in the middle again. It just happened. The team needed me to play there.”

He will line up on the wing for St George Illawarra against Parramatta on Sunday night.

The Dragons side is sprinkled with NRL players, including fellow recruits Moses Suli, Moses Mbye, Francis Molo, Jack Gosiewski and George Burgess.

The Dragons are yet to decide who will play fullback or five-eighth for their round-one game against the Warriors.

Dragons’ shock call on Griffin’s coaching future

By Paul Crawley

St George Illawarra has made no apologies for handing Anthony Griffin a contract extension despite the fact the last time they did so it blew up in the club’s face with Paul McGregor.

Griffin revealed how he took a call on Wednesday morning from Dragons chief executive Ryan Webb telling him that the famous club had agreed to take up a one-year extension on his contract.

It means Griffin will now have the pressure taken off him heading into the new NRL season, knowing that he has a job at least until the end of the 2023 NRL season.

“They had an option for a third year which they came to me and said they wanted to activate,” Griffin said.

Asked if he was surprised, Griffin said: “Not really. It is good. Obviously I enjoy being here and it is nice that everyone is aligned at the club obviously.”

Anthony Griffin has secured a one-year contract extension at the Dragons. Picture: Dragons Media

But it will be interesting to see how diehard Dragons fans receive this news given the reaction the club got some years back when McGregor was given a contract extension before he was ultimately let go.

Griffin has had some success so far but the Dragons still have a lot to prove before anyone can be convinced they are back on the path to consistent success.

Last season they appeared on course for a top-eight finish before the infamous Covid-breaking barbecue at Paul Vaughan’s home, following which they didn’t win another game.

This season bookies have them at $34 to win the title, while they are listed at $4.75 and third in favouritism for most losses, behind only Wests Tigers ($3.25) and North Queensland ($4.50).

Asked if he believes Griffin is the coach to lead the Dragons to a premiership, Webb responded: “We do”.

Reminded that fans were furious when the club handed McGregor an extension before many believed he had proved he deserved it, Webb explained why he believed Griffin was deserving before the start of the new season.

“Well, firstly, it is taking up an extension so it is adding a third year,” Webb explained.

“In general terms, three years is what you need to see to give a coach a fair run.

Anthony Griffin is confident the Dragons are heading in the right direction. Picture: Dragons Media

“We did a contract that put it in our favour to give it a good 12 months to have a look at Anthony. In everything he has done he had ticked all the boxes, so we think it is more than fair now to commit to ’23, because a lot of decisions start to be made now.”

The Dragons will kick-off their 2022 campaign in a trial against Parramatta on Sunday.

Griffin has confidence the club is heading in the right direction but would not put a time frame on when he believes the Dragons will be legitimate premiership contenders.

“I think we are, how long that takes obviously no one knows, but I am certain we are on the up,” Griffin said. “It is just a matter of everyone working together and working hard over the next couple of years.”

Originally published as NRL 2022: Tautau Moga chasing success at the Dragons, his sixth club