Zeb Taia looks forward to hard-earned time out
BY BRETT KEEBLE
KNIGHTS workhorse Zeb Taia needs a break.
But the bustling back-rower is bracing for another busy night at the office against the New Zealand Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium tomorrow before he and most of his Newcastle teammates enjoy their first bye weekend of the season.
After playing the Warriors, the Knights have a 17-day hiatus before their next game against South Sydney at EnergyAustralia Stadium, and players will be left to their own devices until resuming training next Wednesday.
Averaging 74.8 minutes a match, Taia is one of six Knights to have played the maximum 13 games this season.
Of those, only stocky centre Junior Sau (77.7) is averaging more minutes on the field each week, but Taia's workload in the middle of the field is more taxing.
The 24-year-old toiler averages 14 carries for 108 metres and almost 28 tackles a game, according to NRL Stats.
He played all 80 minutes against his former club Parramatta last Sunday, running 22 times for 183m and making 27 tackles, exempting himself from any criticism levelled at the team for their generally lacklustre performance.
His 10 line breaks are the most by any NRL forward, and he is fifth overall behind outside backs Michael Jennings, Jarryd Hayne and Taniela Tuiaki (all 12) and Brett Morris (11).
"A lot of the boys especially the ones who usually play 80 minutes we can't wait until the bye comes, so it's one big effort from everyone this week . . . then we can go and have a good rest," said Taia, who plans to catch up with friends and family in Sydney.
"The Warriors are coming off a tough loss against Cronulla last week so they're going to come out with all guns blazing back at home this Friday.
"We've got to be on our game and do everything right all the little things, the one per centers because that's what we lacked against Parramatta.
"It's true to say we were a bit lethargic and a bit flat on Sunday, but I know the boys can't wait to get out there this Friday."
The Knights are yet to drop back-to-back games this season, but the 20-18 loss to the Eels was their second defeat from their past three games and Taia said they were striving for more consistency during the stop-start representative season.
"We've been a bit like a yo-yo, up and down each week lately, but hopefully we can get out there this week, get the two points, then look forward to the bye and go again when we come back," he said.
Taia was born in Sydney but has Cook Islands heritage and earlier this year declared his allegiance to New Zealand.
He has set himself a goal of cracking the Kiwi squad for the end-of-season Quad Nations tournament against Australia, England and France.
With that in mind, he is keen to play well against a Warriors side containing a host of Polynesian players harbouring similar hopes.
"It's always good playing against other Islanders," he said.
"Coming up against a physical team like the Warriors, you know it's a big challenge.
"It's a big ask but you've got to get yourself up for that so I'm looking forward to it."
Herald
