Sio Siua Taukeiaho has spoken on his NRL return after a two-year stint in Super League that ended with him being axed by Catalans Dragons.
Taukeiaho was a high-profile signing by the Dragons when he arrived in Super League ahead of the 2023 season, however, across his two-year deal he would play just ten times, not taking to the field at all in 2024.
He also saw that deal cut short, being one of three players axed by the French outfit in the summer of 2024 after failing to attend the mid-season international between France and England and reportedly attending a concert when absent from training due to ‘illness’.
His lack of games in 2024 had come due to injury but the veteran prop has recovered from those issues and hit the ground running now back in the NRL, signing a deal with Manly.
After faring well in both pre-season games, he debuted in Round One and is set to make his fifth NRL appearance for the club this weekend when they take on Melbourne Storm.
“Never thought I’d be back” – Sacked Super League man speaks on NRL return
Speaking to the media about his return, he explained: “I feel heaps refreshed, especially after being away for two years now from the game.
“I’ve only played ten games when I was overseas so I feel freshened up. I feel like I’m 21 again.
“I’m enjoying my time here at Manly, especially winning as well.”
The Sea Eagles have won all three games that Taukeiaho has played in, losing in Round Two when he didn’t feature, and the former Tongan and New Zealand international has spoke about that recovery process in order for him to return.
“I had a lisfranc injury over in France and I was able to get that sorted during the off-season,” he stated.
” I was trying to get through a full NRL pre-season as we all know how tough it is and I was glad I got through it and the trials, and now I’m starting to get comfortable in the NRL games.
“I was still watching a lot of games whilst I was over in France and kind of saying to myself that I wish I was still back there but at my age, I never thought I’d be back there. I’m 33 now so I never really thought I’d be back but here I am.”
Taukeiaho could be set to pass 200 NRL games in 2025 if he stays healthy with the two-time premiership winner seeking a third in the twilight of his career.
