One of Super League’s star signings going into 2023, Catalans Dragons bound prop Siosiua Taukeiaho, made an impression in the boxing ring yesterday in his debut match.
Taukeiaho won via unanimous decision in the heavyweight contest against former Cowboys, Storm and Rabbitohs player Jaiman Lowe.
Lowe had fought once before in June and had lost but that shouldn’t take away from Taukeiaho who looks primed to be another cross-sport star as he impressed in the bout, even knocking down his opponent who was three inches taller and approximately 30 kilograms heavier.
The Tongan is departing the NRL where he has spent 10 years, most recently with the Sydney Roosters where he won consecutive titles.
He’ll join the Dragons soon and will bolster a squad that will be aiming to make the play-offs once again, and with 169 NRL appearances and 16 on the international stage Sio Siua will certainly improve the Dragons chances.
You’d have thought his attention would then immediately turn to Super League, but the former Sydney Roosters prop is keen for another match against the man who led Samoa to the Rugby League World Cup Final, skipper Junior Paulo.
“I don’t know Junior well, but he’s a good fighter and a humble guy,” Taukeiaho said to Fox League.
“So if that opportunity comes next year, I’ll take it for sure.
“That would be a good fight.”
His opponent yesterday Lowe tipped him to fight as much as possible in the future: “Obviously, right now, he’s still got a lot of good years left in footy.
“But after reading about what Gal has made in the past three years, a switch to boxing is tempting isn’t it? Even if you could have half the career Paul Gallen has, it’s a lot of coin.”