NRL: Try-scorer Ta'ai on a learning curve

Second rower Ukuma Ta'ai has emerged as one of the Warriors’ go-to men in attack. Photo / Getty Images

Second rower Ukuma Ta'ai says he still has plenty to learn about rugby league despite a run that has made him the New Zealand Warriors' second-highest try-scorer this season.

Ta'ai has dotted down in each of the club's past four matches to be two tries behind winger Manu Vatuvei's tally of six, with both players having made five appearances.

Vatuvei will be missing because of a leg injury when the Warriors host South Sydney on Sunday in a shortened National Rugby League round featuring just five matches because of the first State of Origin match next Wednesday.

However, Ta'ai has retained his starting spot after a strong display in the 24-12 win over North Queensland last weekend, when he grabbed the opening try by powering his way through three tacklers.

The quietly spoken Tongan, who comes from a rugby union background, was pleased with how his second season in the NRL had started, but said today that try-scoring wasn't uppermost in his mind when he ran on the field.

His main goal was simply to do his job, something he was still learning, and he cited being able to read the game better as one area for improvement.

"I'm trying to build on my rugby league, and I'm feeling excited because I'm going better," he said.

"Busting the tackle and running, that's easy. It's more important to me to read the game and see what's happening, and maybe set up the tries."

Ta'ai, 23, was born in Nuku'alofa and came to New Zealand three years ago.

He played rugby for the University club in Auckland and got a call up into the province's second 15 squad.

The following year, at the suggestion of a friend, he switched codes and joined Mt Albert.

He caught the eye of the Warriors and made his NRL debut last year, racking up 10 appearances before going on to represent Tonga at the Pacific Cup.

He suffered an ankle injury at the tournament, which affected his preparations over the summer, making for a slow start to the new season.

He missed the first four rounds of the NRL before getting back into the Warriors' 17 in the away win over the Bulldogs.

Assistant coach Tony Iro said the 1.87m, 103kg Ta'ai had good size, speed and strength, as shown in his try against the Cowboys, "which took a lot of scoring".

But Ta'ai's relative lack of league experience meant he was "a work in progress", who was still picking up some of the subtleties of the game.

"Certainly. He's got a real physical presence on the field and we like him in the team," Iro said.

"Looking at his performances in the NRL, he's still a little bit raw and a little bit green with his technique and application. When he gets a few more games under his belt and we can start putting some minutes into him, we can see him being more effective for us."

Iro believed Ta'ai took a big step forward in terms of consistency both in defence and in attack with his performance against the Cowboys.

"He just needs more minutes for us and the more minutes he gets, the better he'll become."

- NZPA