Fiji World Cup star Taniela Sadrugu playing his way into starting job NRL’s North Queensland Cowboys

An ex-Fijian rugby sevens player has burst onto the global rugby league scene at the World Cup. Now he shapes as a bolt-from-the-blue starter for a genuine finals contender in 2023.

Taniela Sadrugu of Fiji. Picture: Getty Images

FIJI forward Taniela Sadrugu will return from the Rugby League World Cup and compete immediately for the chance to partner Jeremiah Nanai as the Cowboys’ first-choice edge backrow tandem in 2023.

Good judges have been impressed with the 24-year-old’s physicality for the Bati in the UK, which has helped lead Fiji into a quarter-final showdown with New Zealand on Sunday morning (AEST).

With the departures of Tom Gilbert and Connelly Lemuelu to the Dolphins, Luciano Leilua on indefinite no-fault stand-down and Heilum Luki in the midst of rehabilitating a torn ACL the opportunity is there for Sadrugu to complete an incredible rise from rugby league novice to start on a premiership contender in little over one year.

Veteran NRL backrower turned Cowboys football chief Micheal Luck said taking that step would be up to Sadrugu.

“If he plays well enough there is definitely an opportunity there,” said Luck, who started 170 games in the back-row for North Queensland and the Warriors over 12 seasons.

Taniela Sadrugu of Fiji breaks through a tackle from Jack Colovatti of Italy. Picture: Getty Images

“Todd (Payten, coach) has shown over the last couple of years that he’s not afraid to give young or inexperienced players a go. If he has a really good pre-season and then goes and performs well through trials … then absolutely there’s a chance for him.”

Sadrugu’s initial competition will be with freshly signed New South Wales Cup team of the season second-rower Jack Gosiewski, who left the Dragons to join North Queensland late last month.

Gosiewski is the more refined option, a lifelong rugby league player with 56 NRL games behind him for South Sydney, Manly and St George.

Sadrugu only played his first organised game of rugby league until after he had joined North Queensland from the Fijian Rugby Sevens program 12 months ago.

Luck has witnessed his rapid improvement, culminating in a featured role in a talented Fijian side at the World Cup. In 126 minutes against Australia, Italy and Scotland Sadrugu carried 35 times for 288m, scored two tries, slipped 11 offloads, broke six tackles and completed 50 tackles from 52 attempts.

Taniela Sadrugu of Fiji breaks with the ball. Picture: Getty Images for RLWC

“I’m loving the way ‘Dan’ enjoys collisions,” Luck said. “Not every player does but he loves it when an opposition forward gets a head of steam up because Dan is the kind of guy that can go in and change the game for you by taking that forward on.

“He’s a really naturally gifted player. There’s plenty of upside to him and he’s done really well to this point. He has all the raw skills, now it’s up to us to refine them and hopefully he’s going to be a big contributor to our program next year.”

The Cowboys youngest players begin pre-season training from November 14, with the full squad to return to training as soon as Rugby League Player’s Association protocols permit.

With a host of finals players and World Cup veterans to come it will be some time before the full squad assembles.

Originally published as Fiji World Cup star Taniela Sadrugu playing his way into starting job NRL’s North Queensland Cowboys