Tonga star vows to atone for ego and poor leadership
Jasper Bruce |
Siosifa Talakai admits his ego, “s***” professionalism and “s***” leadership contributed to Tonga’s early exit from the most recent Rugby League World Cup.
But since extending the olive branch to coach Kristian Woolf, the Cronulla utility has vowed to make things right if given another chance at the 2026 tournament.
Talakai arrived in England for the last World Cup after a breakout 2022 NRL season that earned him a State of Origin debut for NSW.
But coach Woolf dropped Talakai after Tonga’s second group-stage game, preferring Will Penisini and Moses Suli as his centres for a 92-10 thrashing of Cook Islands.
Talakai also did not get a look-in for the quarter-final against Samoa, so was powerless to prevent a 20-18 loss that ended the Tongans’ campaign.
Looking back, Talakai now concedes he was more focused on “mucking around” with his mates overseas than his international duties.
“You kind of just want to go out there and make good memories with the crew, but then most of the time you forget that there’s still a job to be done,” Talakai told AAP.
“We didn’t prep as good as we should have. We mistook the opportunities that were presented before us. Looking back at it now, I was definitely one to blame for that.
“I probably wasn’t as professional as I should’ve been.”
At the time Talakai’s omission from the final two games caused tension between he and Woolf, who became the Dolphins’ head coach last NRL season.
Now older and wiser, Talakai reached out to Woolf last year to make amends.
“I apologised, I took responsibility for my “s***” prep, my “s***” responsibility around the crew, giving the crew excuses to make shortcuts,” he said.
“It was ‘s***’ leadership and ‘s***’ professionalism … I let my ego get the best of me in that camp. Ego’s the biggest killer of character.
“I just wasn’t being the player that I should have been.”
Talakai feels strongly about adding to his two international caps at this year’s World Cup, to be played across Australia, New Zealand and PNG from October.
The 29-year-old, whose parents speak Tongan as their first language, has reassured Woolf the mistakes of the past would not be repeated.
“If given an opportunity now I’ll be able to showcase that I’m more professional now,” Talakai said.
“I’m definitely a better player than I was then. Leadership-wise, I’ll definitely put my hand up there.
“I’ll definitely keep the ego in check and make sure I’m doing my part, and make sure the boys are doing their part as well.”
Fifth in the International Rugby League rankings, Tonga count Isaiya Katoa, Jason Taumalolo and Addin Fonua-Blake among their star players and can realistically aim for at least a semi-final berth in 2026.
“I’m sure we can go a long way in the World Cup, it’s a matter of just putting your head down and working hard,” Talakai said.
AAP