Talakai’s “amazing” game has “thrust” centre into Origin calculations

Siosifa Talakai had perhaps his best game at NRL level in Thursday night’s win over Manly, putting in a dominating man of the match performance from centre.

Talakai ended the game with a remarkable stat-line of 240 run metres, two tries, two try assists, 11 tackle busts, three line-breaks and one line-break assist – and it could’ve been ever more if it weren’t for his unselfish play.

With Thursday’s performance proving the culmination of a strong block of form, SEN’s Michelle Bishop says New South Wales coach Brad Fittler is genuinely considering the breakout star for Origin selection.

“You’ve got Siosifa Talakai bursting onto the scene last night, it was absolutely amazing,” Bishop said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“The Sharks up 32-0 at half-time was a bit of a concern though, we haven’t heard much about that, Craig Fitzgibbon will want to revisit that … for Manly to be able to come back to 34-22 there’s some concerns around that.

“But the stats for Talakai – 240 run metres, 11 tackle busts, three line-breaks, one line-break assist, three offloads, two try-assists and two tries that could’ve easily been four tries.

“What an incredible performance from him, it has thrust him into the limelight, people are talking about him – not just anyone but the experts in the game in Michael Ennis, Greg Alexander and Brad Fittler – are keen to look at him for Origin.”

As Talakai is available to represent both the Blues and Tonga, Bishop says he may have to choose representing one or the other in late June.

“We have learned this morning that Brad Fittler has told us that he’s been in and around those pathways for the Blues, he is a proud Tongan man though,” Bishop explained.

“It will be interesting though because there is a Test for Tonga right at the same time as the second Origin game.

“For those who question, ‘How can he play for Tonga and also NSW?’, that’s because Tonga is a tier two nation and it’s within the rules.” Even if Talakai doesn’t earn a starting place for his state, Bishop believes a squad inclusion itself would do wonders for the Shark.

“Even if we just saw him brought into the squad, we’ve seen what that’s done for Jarome Luai, Keaon Koloamatangi,” Bishop said.

“It does wonders, you go back to club land on another level.”

Talakai will look to continue his sparkling form when the Sharks face the Broncos next Thursday at Suncorp Stadium.