The one reason Paseka says he’s back to best at Manly
Jasper Bruce |
Taniela Paseka believes he’s finally reaching his potential to become one of the NRL’s top props, and there’s quite literally a simple reason.
Paseka has starred in Manly’s unbeaten start to life under interim coach Kieran Foran, running for 201 metres in the huge win over the Dolphins and pitching in a further 141 against St George Illawarra.
The hot form follows an achilles tendon injury that ruined his 2025 season and left the Sea Eagles crying out for his presence in the middle of the park as they missed the finals.
Sacked coach Anthony Seibold had challenged Paseka to become one of the NRL’s top-five props on return, and the 28-year-old remains intent on holding up his end of the bargain in the post-Seibold era.
“I’m feeling really good six rounds in. I think I’ve found my footy again,” he said.
“You just want to play your best footy, and I believe now that I’m there.
“If I can just keep performing for this team, then that’ll speak for itself.”
Paseka worked with Manly’s mental skills coach Andrew May during his recovery and credited simplifying his game for his strong start to 2026.
“Footy can get very complicated if you make it. As a front-rower, you literally just run the ball and make your tackles. Don’t overthink it,” Paseka said.
“It’s not that hard if you don’t make it that hard.”
Paseka’s credentials as a top-five prop are in for a test as he squares off with fellow Tongan international Jason Taumalolo against North Queensland this Thursday.
Taumalolo has turned the clock back to help the Cowboys win their last four games. Among middle forwards, only Warriors prop Jackson Ford has clocked more metres through six rounds.
“It’s always good playing against the top front-rowers in the game,” Paseka said.
Jake Trbojevic has told teammates he’ll play on Thursday despite suffering a gruesome facial injury in Manly’s win over the Dragons.
Trbojevic was still struggling to see with his right eye on Sunday and did not participate in contact training on Monday afternoon.
Still, Ben Trbojevic wouldn’t want to be the one to tell his older brother he’d have to watch his beloved Sea Eagles from the sidelines.
“I wouldn’t like to do that,” the second-rower said.
“He’s all right, his eye swelled up quite a bit. I’m not too sure what the diagnosis was but hopefully he’ll be right for this week.”
AAP