Thank 'the tank' ahead of Legends Round

More than a decade after a serious injury cut short his playing career, Taniela Tuiaki continues to give back to rugby league.

In the build up to this weekend’s Legends Round, and at our game against Penrith on Sunday, Wests Tigers are proudly acknowledging the contributions of all those who have worn the club’s colours over the years.

Tuiaki, or ‘the tank’ as he became known, was one of the most damaging wingers in the game. He played 78 games for the Wests Tigers over four seasons after making his debut against the Warriors in Round 11, 2006.

He had standout season in 2009 topping the try-scoring charts with 21 four-pointers, including a hat-trick of tries in the team’s 56-10 thumping of Cronulla in Round 23.

In the very next game against Parramatta Eels the Tonga and New Zealand international would suffer a serious ankle injury. This injury would ultimately bring a premature end to his playing career.

Taniela is still very much involved with rugby league and doing some wonderful work for the NRL. He was one of many past players earlier this year to play a pivotal role in the NRL’s Road 2 Regions program.

Taniela and other former NRL players spent time in communities across Australia that aren’t frequently visited, while also supporting communities affected by recent natural disasters.

From Central Burnett in Queensland, down to Adelaide and back up to the Northern Riverina Region in NSW, Taniela and the team met students, teachers, and local coaches – all eager to learn more about the game they love, and about the NRL League Stars Inspire and Diversity program.

Former coach Tim Sheens, who these days is Head of Football at the Wests Tigers, says Tuiaki should be thanked for the role he continues to play in the game.

“I think it’s a tremendous show of strength and character for Taniela to be giving back to the game.

He was a wonderful talent but I can’t take credit for bringing him to the club. That was all Royce’s (Simmons) doing."

Simmons, who was Sheens’ assistant at Wests Tigers for eight seasons, spotted Taniela playing for Tonga.

"He just said ‘Tim, I’ve found a player you’ve got to look at’, and that was that.”

He was just so powerful, strong, and talented, but sadly that career was cut short."

I know he’s still having his struggles because of that injury with further surgery required.”

Wests Ashfield Leagues Club, the Men of League and our own Foundation have been supportive of Taniela, and they are to be thanked.”