"All the boys' attitude has changed, they are playing for each other," he said.
He said all the players wanted to do well for their old team-mate Rob Epapara, who died earlier this year in a forestry incident.
"He has been playing for us for the past four or five years, on the wing," he said.
Taiatini said the coaching staff had also made a big difference keeping the players motivated in the five-team competition.
Papa, as he is commonly called among team mates, has played in just about every position on the field for Pikiao during the past 10 years but said he was enjoying playing in the forwards this year - as a second rower or prop.
"It was the coach's decision [to put me there].
"I was playing first five-eighth last year but I'm happy to play wherever."
Like many rugby league players in the area, Taiatini grew up with a rugby union background before switching codes as a teenager.
"I got the opportunity to play for Pikiao when I was about 15 or 16," Taiatini said.
"I had a game for the bros and they said come play for us."
With the help of Taiatini's leadership, Pikiao has won their last seven matches including a classic game against Pacific (Tokoroa) where they came from 20 points down at halftime to win.
Pikiao will met Pacific in a re-match tomorrow at Puketawhero Park.
In the other premier game this weekend, Forestland (Tokoroa) play Ngongotaha.
The other side, Taupo, has the bye.
