Blackhawks forward Oshae Tuiasau making most of surprise chance
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Photo courtesy of Townsville Bulletin
STORY ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN TOWNSVILLE BULLETIN
MICHAEL THOMPSON, TOWNSVILLE BULLETIN – DECEMBER 13, 2016, 10.11am
TOWNSVILLE Blackhawks recruit Oshae Tuiasau never thought his next rugby league opportunity would arrive during his honeymoon.
The former Gold Coast Titans front rower was on honeymoon with wife Zoe last month when Blackhawks coach Kristian Woolf called, and after a brief chat with fellow Titans player Kierran Moseley — who is now also at the Blackhawks — Tuiasau was heading to Townsville.
Tuiasau, 21, is determined to cement a spot in the Blackhawks front row but he has played on the edges throughout his career, which included three years in the Titans under-20s system.
He then spent last season in the Titans first-grade squad, although most of that time was spent recovering from a horror injury done at the end of under-20s career.
Tuiasau dislocated his kneecap and had his medial collateral ligament torn off the bone, but he still won the Titans NYC players’ player for 2015.
“I didn’t have too much on my plate, just a few small things, so I thought this would be the best option for me and my wife,” Tuiasau said.
“Kristian’s brother (Ben) has been coaching me since I was about 12, and him and Kristian crossed paths and it kind of went from there.
“I talked it out with my manager and decided this would be the best way for me to move forward.”
The Blackhawks have guided a handful of recruits into the NRL including Corey Jensen (Cowboys), Rhys Martin (Bulldogs), Moses Pangai (Broncos) and Jahrome Hughes (Storm).
Tuiasau is treading an almost identical path as Hughes, who came to the Blackhawks in 2015 after being part of the Titans under-20s and first grade squads.
“I’m still quite young for my position and I think I’ve got a lot to offer, so hopefully I can be an asset to the Blackhawks,” Tuiasau said.
“Hopefully things fall into place.
“The pre-season has been hot and its only going to get harder, but I’m looking ahead to March and getting the season started.”
