Thanks to QT, Jay Buchan and Sarah Harvey
For more details go to – http://www.qt.com.au/news/siblings-set-to-reunite-in-nrl/1938547/
SATURDAY was unlikely to be the last time Goodna brothers Lama and Tautalatasi Tasi played together.
The question now is how long until they’re together at the Brisbane Broncos.
Lama has been dual signed with the Broncos and Jets after getting a release from the Sydney Roosters.
He played for the Jets at the weekend but has been called into the Broncos squad for Friday’s NRL clash with the Cronulla Sharks Friday.
Tautalatasi, meanwhile, is on the verge of signing with the Broncos himself.
The Jets 44-10 win over Souths Logan at the weekend was the first time the brothers, both former Ipswich Grammar School students, had played together and it came sooner than either expected.
“We had talked about it, when we got older,” Tautalatasi said.
“But not this early.”
The younger brother, on the right wing, was keen to take advantage of Lama’s presence at prop.
“I’ll probably have a sniff around the middle,” Tautalatasi said before the game.
“For when he has an offload.”
It didn’t quite work out that way, but both enjoyed the experience, which is no surprise given the Jets’ big win.
“It was really good to play with my older brother,” Tautalatasi said.
“We had a good time. I didn’t get any offloads. I was too busy on the weekend.”
Both brothers crossed for tries in typical fashion.
Tautalatasi finished off a break, crossing in the corner while Lama dragged several defenders over the line with him after a typically fearless charge.
“It was good to see my older brother get over the line,” Tautalatasi said.
“I didn’t think he’d make it, but he did, carrying some big boys over with him.”
From out wide Tautalatasi was able to appreciate the go-forward his brother provided.
The Jets forward pack is tough and hard- working, but has lacked an impact weapon since Lorenzo Ma’afu’s departure to the Parramatta Eels at the end of last season.
If he gets to stick around long Lama could provide the missing ingredient to propel the Jets to a maiden Queensland Cup title.
It would be not surprise to see the Broncos call him up sooner rather than later however.
“He did really well up front,” Tautalatasi said of Lama. “Over the last couple of weeks we have been missing that contact. We’ve got it back.”
Tautalatasi doesn’t now how ling he will be playing alongside Lama with the Jets, but is determined to enjoy it as long as it lasts.
“He just wants to get the call-up (to the Broncos) and hopefully he does well,” Tautalatasi said.
If things go to plan the pair could be reunited in Broncos jerseys in the not-too- distant future.
Tautalatasi hasn’t signed with the Broncos yet, but says it only needs to be made “official”.
Then he will have to persuade the club to leave him at the Jets for the rest of this season, rather than draft him into the Broncos under-20 team.
“They said I’d play with the under-20s, but I’d rather play the rest of the year in the Q Cup,” the 18-year-old said. “Then play under-20s next year or try to crack the top 25.”
Two years ago Tautalatasi represented Australian Schoolboys in rugby union as a back-rower. But Jets coaches Ben and Shane Walker saw his value on the wing and he is now comfortable on the flank and happy to make a career as a winger.
“Every week I’m getting better,” he said.
“I’m getting the hang of it. If I end up a winger all my life I’ll be happy.”
For now, the focus is on continuing to improve while helping the Jets go as far as they can this season. Meanwhile, he is studying an education degree at USQ and hopes to one day teach physical education.