Few forwards in the NRL are smaller than Warriors milestone man Jazz Tevaga, but backyard footy with his giant Maori and Samoan cousins hardened him for the battle.
Tevaga has rumbled with the likes of Jason Taumalolo, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Reagan Campbell-Gillard on the road to his 100-game milestone, which he’ll reach in the Warriors’ clash with the Dragons on Saturday.
When asked what it’s like throwing around his 178cm, 98kg frame with the NRL’s biggest men, the 26-year-old laughed as he reminisced about backyard footy as a kid.
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“There are some big boys in there but I’ve been in the middle my whole life, and one thing I’ve been doing since a young age is tackling,” Tevaga said ahead of his milestone match in Kogarah.
“I’ve come from a footy background, all my family has played footy and I remember from a young age I was in the background tackling all my older cousins.
“So, it’s nothing new to me tackling bigger blokes. I like getting in there and getting dirty with the big fellas.”
The Christchurch-born Tevaga is of Maori, Samoan and European heritage.
He’s played four Tests for Samoa but his heart lies with New Zealand, who he’s hoping to represent at this year’s Rugby League World Cup.
“The Islander kids – I don’t know what they feed them, but they’re different to the normal, average kid,” he said with a booming grin.
Tevaga has been in the thick of combat from the moment he made his NRL debut.
He only has patchy memories of his first game, against Melbourne at Mt Smart Stadium in round three, 2016, because of a knock to the head, albeit due to friendly fire from teammate Charlie Gubb.
Tevaga’s first NRL match remains a highlight.
“I remember running out and having the feeling of a full, packed Mt Smart Stadium,” Tevaga said.
“I remember looking across and seeing Cameron Smith and that, and I remember having the thought to myself that I’ve finally made it.”
Tevaga will become the 27th man to have racked up 100 games for the Warriors, joining a list started by club great Stacey Jones in 1999.
Veteran halfback Shaun Johnson is the only current Warriors player in the 100-game club.
Those who matter most will be with Tevaga for his special appearance.
“There’s a lot of things on my mind that have made me reflect on where I’ve come from and how hard I’ve worked to get here,” Tevaga said.
“So, all my family and friends will be on my mind and I’ll be playing for them.”
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