St Paul’s Collegiate’s big Tongan hooker is impressing in his first season in New Zealand.
Samisoni Taukei'aho made the move to Hamilton on a rugby scholarship this year, shifting from his home in Tonga.
The year 12 student was awarded the scholarship after touring New Zealand as captain of Tonga’s under-15 team last year, and impressing scouts during games.
Since his arrival and induction into the St Paul’s first XV, Taukei'aho has continued to impress those who matter, and has now been nominated for the New Zealand Secondary Schools rugby team.
"I made the Chiefs under-18 camp, and the Chiefs nominated me," he said.
Playing in the central North Island competition, Taukei'aho admits he hasn't found the competition all that tough.
He feels he has been the best hooker in the competition so far, finding little competition in his favoured position.
However he did get some serious competition when he turned out for the Chiefs age grade side against the Blues last month.
Standing at 182cm tall and 115kg, Taukei'aho isn't small, but some of the Blues forwards monstered over him.
"They were some pretty big boys," he said with a grin appearing on his face.
"I was pretty surprised at how big they were. I haven't really found it that hard with school, but they were some big boys. They smashed us."
He still feels he did well against the Blues at hooker, and takes pride in his statistics during match days.
Each game Taukei'aho records his throwing stats at lineouts, and then takes that to his coaches to get feedback on his play.
"My throwing is usually around 80 to 85 per cent in games, which is pretty good.
"I work on it a lot. Sometimes I'll go to the gym after training and aim for the box just above the basketball hoop, just to practise my throwing.
"One thing I have to work on is my scrummaging. I didn't do very well last Saturday so I know I have to do better and work on that."
Taukei'aho is critical of his own play, more than his coaches are, and has the desire to take rugby as far as he can.
His favourite team is the Chiefs, but his playing idols play for other Super Rugby franchises.
"I like Dane Coles, and Corey Flynn," he said.
"I'm a strong runner with the ball, and good defensively. I like how Dane Coles runs the ball and has a bit of mongrel in him. He’s not big, but he plays hard."
Taukei'aho will find out next month if he made the cut for the NZ Secondary Schools team.
