“Taniela’s a class finisher with all the traits we value in a Taranaki player. He’s physical, hard working and team first,” he said.
Taniela Rakuro.
Fijian Drua winger Taniela Rakuro has stamped his mark for Taranaki Bulls in his debut match last Saturday.
The Vusama, Nadroga lad has equaled the club’s try scoring record in a single match; he scored five tries on debut in their, 97-0, win against Meads Cup champions Thames Valley.
Speaking to Sports News Taranaki, the 25-year-old dedicated his performance in the final pre-season Ranfurly Shield match to his village in Fiji.
“I want to dedicate the tries back to my village,” Rakuro said.
“Thanks to the boys for backing me up,” the man of few words said.
He credited the team for putting him into space where he scored tries with ease.
“They gave me a chance to score a try. I back myself with what I can do,” he told Sports News Taranaki.
Rakuro who played 23 Super Rugby Pacific matches for the Drua was one of the four new signings for the Bulls this season. He was signed in June by coach Neil Barnes to replace injured Kini Naholo.
Barnes said he wanted to find someone who brought a similar impact as Naholo.
“Taniela’s a class finisher with all the traits we value in a Taranaki player. He’s physical, hard working and team first,” he said.
“We believe he can ignite our backline and help execute the game plan we’ve built.”
Taranaki will play Wellington in their final pre-season match away next weekend before their first in-competition Ranfurly Shield challenge against Northland on August 2.
Most tries in a first-class match for Taranaki:
5 – George Loveridge (1913)
5 – David Vesty (1971)
5 – Mark Robinson (1997)
5 – Taniela Rakuro (2025)*
Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj
