Departing Roosters forward Siosiua Taukeiaho admitted that emotions got the better of his side in Sunday’s Elimination Final as he reflected on his final NRL game.
The Rabbitohs' 30-14 defeat over the Roosters not only marked the latest chapter in the NRL's oldest feud between South Sydney and their Sydney rivals but the final chapter for the 169-game veteran Taukeiaho, who will join Catalans in 2023.
“It’s starting to sink in now that that was my last game for the Roosters. I wasn’t really expecting it, especially after our last game here," Taukeiaho said after Sunday's defeat.
“I think everyone expected that type of game, especially against the Rabbitohs.
“[It's been that way] ever since I’ve been here. Even when I was at the Warriors it was always Roosters and Rabbitohs' first game of the season on a Thursday night. And everyone always loved it because they always just go at each other.
“Since I’ve been a part of it, it’s always been a tough game against them.”
Robinson: Refs handled the game well
In arguably one of the most chaotic games in NRL’s history with seven sin-bins and two costly concussions, the Roosters' cause wasn't helped when they lost James Tedesco and Angus Crichton to first-half head injury assessments and were deprived of winger Daniel Tupou (groin) for the second half.
Taukeiaho said his side’s inability to control their emotions is what cost the Tricolours — not just tonight but throughout the 2022 season.
“We always wanted to be brutal but obviously we took it out of hand with a couple of high tackles so some of the boys were sidelined and it cost us the game," he said.
We were trying to control all of our emotions but some of us just couldn’t handle it.
Roosters prop Siosiua Taukeiaho
“We started doing dirty shots and high tackles, there were a lot of penalties that just cost us the game.”
Despite spending 10 minutes on the sideline due a head injury assessment of his own which he subsequently passed, Taukeiaho left it all out on Allianz Stadium, running 177 metres from 18 hit ups for his beloved Tricolours.
“I’m glad I was able to pass the test and get back out there,” he said.
“I didn’t want to sit out, I really wanted to try and get back out there and play alongside all the boys and try and get the win.
The 30-year-old who moved from Auckland to join the Roosters in 2015 said he will miss the club who has become his family in Australia.
“The Roosters mean a lot, they’re my family,” he said.
“They gave me the opportunity to move from New Zealand and come here. Trent (Robinson) has helped me a lot, especially coming from New Zealand, he’s developed me as a player and as a person.
“I’m truly grateful for the club and all the players. I love them a lot, I’m going to miss them but I wish them all the best for the future.”