League: Taia hopes to make all the right moves on debut

Knights forward Zeb Taia chose the Kiwis over a possible State of Origin trial. Photo / Getty Images

MELBOURNE - Unheralded Newcastle back rower Zeb Taia is in his element roaming on the fringes weighing up an offload, or if need be muscling up to defend the middle of the park.

But where the haka is concerned, the first time Kiwi will probably be found out the back of the New Zealand formation before tomorrow's Anzac rugby league test here at AAMI Park.

As Taia assimilates to the Kiwis environment for the first time - seven months after a shoulder reconstruction delayed his introduction via the Four Nations - absorbing the gameplan against Australia is not his only concern.

The pre-match challenge will be a test in itself.

"I know the words, but the actions are all over the place," a bashful Taia confessed.

Born in Sydney's west 26 years ago to Cook Islanders Tepe and Terekino, Taia's rudimentary knowledge of the Maori ritual is excusable - and at least his heart is in the right place.

Like many footballers with links to both sides of the Tasman - he qualifies for the Kiwis through his parents - Taia was briefly conflicted last year when he was mentioned in dispatches for the NSW City v Country State of Origin trial.

"When I was young, with my upbringing, our family just supported New Zealand all the way, whenever they played," he explained.

"I said to Mum and Dad what do I do? City has come knocking on my door. They had a word in my ear."

Newcastle's then-coach Brian Smith reckoned Taia had made the right call and it was vindicated when Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney confirmed Taia was a definite for the Four Nations squad had he not dislocated his right shoulder during a sterling campaign with the Knights.

Taia played 24 games in 2009, was the leading offloader with 40 and averaged 109.8 metres go-forward per match - the Knights' best yardage man behind fullback Kirk Gidley and wing Akuila Uate.

Although Newcastle are unfashionable these days in the post Johns-era, workaholic Taia's stats did not go unnoticed.

"Zeb's form was outstanding last year and he's picked up where he left off," Kearney said.

"This is a great opportunity for him."

The wait has been worth it for Taia, a Parramatta junior who languished in reserve grade at the Eels before heading north to Newcastle in 2008, where he was judged player of the year.

The Knights' 2010 campaign started ominously when forwards Danny Wicks and Chris Houston were accused of drug dealing, but Taia has helped alleviate the gloom.

Knights coach Rick Stone said it was a "special time" when Newcastle were told of Taia's selection.

"He had to make the tough choice of putting club before country at the end of last year when he had that shoulder surgery and he did that because he knew where his bread was buttered," Stone said.

"We were hoping he'd get another opportunity and I'm really happy for him that that's come about."

Kearney rang Taia with the good news late on Friday after the Knights had upset the Broncos, but he was still to learn what role was in store for him in a match-day 17 that features Warriors hooker Aaron Heremaia as the other debutant.

"Hopefully I'll be somewhere on the edges but I can play in the middle too," he said.

"I've played a couple of games there for Newcastle this year. I know it gets a bit tiring in there it's a job you've got to do."

But first there is the time-consuming task of mastering the haka.

"I know there's an initiation where you do it in front of the boys," said Taia, who added unconvincingly: "I can't wait."

- NZPA