Big Semisi heading to the top

RUGBY: Potentially outstanding Wanganui No 8 Semisi Taulava thinks he's needs another NPC rugby year with Wanganui to fit him for a crack at first division honours ? and better.
But first and foremost he's looking for a cracking 2004 finish against Manawatu in Palmerston North on Saturday to wash away the frustrations of flu and injury in the past few weeks.
The big Tongan-born, who came to Collegiate as a foreign student three years ago and has made great strides since, might be considered the best chance of any member of this year's NPC side to go further.
Scott Donald and Jerry Meafou, and maybe Josh Edwards, must also have some chance.
But Taulava has his head screwed on right. He is disappointed with his recent form after a great NPC start ? although one can point to a decent bout of illness and a shoulder/neck problem as good reasons for that. He lost 4kg while he was ill.
"I had a few good games but I haven't really been consistent. I've dropped form and bit and I've been frustrated by it. It's been pretty hard to get back to top fitness," Taulava said.
But that loss of weight has started him on a campaign to lose a few kilos more before next season in a bid to boost his speed across the ground. He sees 105kg as ideal.
"If I can do my gym work and maintain that through the off-season I will be happy."
But there has been interest in him from other unions, including a suggestion that Taranaki is looking at him.
Taulava laughed that one off and said his new manager Graeme Taylor was looking after such things.
But: "Hawke's Bay offered me a contract last year, but I just love this place. It's been good to me.
"Getting into first division and maybe Super 12 is my long-term goal. But at this stage it's pretty hard to think about what I'm going to do next year. It's a bit risky if I moved and it didn't work.
"I just want to concentrate on finishing the season on a high note."
Taulava wants to study computer management and suggests his final decision may rest on where that can be best done. If it was Wanganui he would be happy enough.
But he would listen to any other alternative.
Taulava has loved his time with Wanganui this season, and especially with his loose forwards mates Scott Donald and Peter Rowe.
"The whole team culture has been a change from last year. This is the best team environment I've been involved in. The bonding the team has got has been awesome. It's better than last year.
"The average age is around 23 or 24. Next year will be a good year. If we can stay together for one more season we can show everybody it wasn't really a fluke getting up to this stage."
Taulava says he will be there on Saturday, despite a niggling neck problem.
"I'm loving the game. I don't want to miss it. I reckon we can finish the season off. The boys are mentally prepared for the game. Everyone is looking to finish on a high note."
The major motivation, says Taulava, is the lack of success against Manawatu and the resulting "looking down" at Wanganui from that area.