Taufua won't be taking his 150 for granted

As the 150-game milestone fast approaches for Jorge Taufua he's reflecting on some of those that got away.

"It's definitely humbling to reach this point, but there's also definitely been a lot of years I could have played a lot more games," Taufua said, realising 200 games should be a lot closer.

"Injuries have set me back a lot. I think I'd be closer to 180, but there you go.

"I'm here now so let's hope we get a good result on Sunday."

Taufua opens his 2020 campaign playing at home against one of Manly's fiercest rivals in the Storm.

Heading into his ninth NRL season and celebrating his 150th, you couldn't ask for a better round-one scenario.

"It is a pretty good start I must say. We lost my 100th game to them (38-18) so hopefully a better result this time around."

The 100th was back in 2016 to give an indication of just how disrupted the last few years have been for Taufua.

The winger played just 12 games in 2017 and 12 again in 2018 thanks to a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a broken collarbone. Prior to those injuries, he had a shoulder reconstruction in 2014 and a damaged kneecap in 2015.

But in 2019 he played 24 games – the most since the 26 he played in 2013.

He also scored eight tries which was the second-highest in Manly's squad after fellow winger Reuben Garrick.

But Taufua's influence just doesn't stop with crossing the try line. He's a danger to any opposition runner that crosses the white line.

The 'hit-man' tag came to the fore in 2019 from ferocious one-on-one tackles to players like Adam Doueihi, Dylan Brown and of course Cameron Munster.

The round 24 hit last year on the Storm No.6 went viral on Facebook and any other social media platform you'd care to name.

"Different game; different year. A lot of people keep throwing it out there but that was last year – we'll leave it there. It's all good," Taufua said, as he looks forward to meeting Munster again this Sunday.

But he doesn't take hits like Munster as any kind of badge of honour. He says it's just his job.

"Not really. At the time it was pretty cool with all the hype around it but time to move on."

But he does feel some pride that all 150 games have been with Manly.

"I'm very grateful to this club and the opportunities they've given me. I've tried to do give back by playing my heart out each week."

With a bit of luck he'll get to 200 with the Sea Eagles. Taufua is contracted until the end of 2021, when at 30 years of age he probably still has another season or two in him.