Taumalolo hopes for early delivery

Hawke's Bay and Chiefs prop Sona Taumalolo may miss tomorrow night's third-round Super Rugby clash at Napier's McLean Park against the Crusaders because of family commitments.

Taumalolo and his wife, Diane, are expecting their second child on Friday.

He or she will be a younger brother or sister for 23-month-old Esme.

"Tom [Chiefs assistant coach and former Magpies co-coach Tom Coventry] and the other coaches are a little bit worried as we are already without two props because of injuries. Hopefully, the baby comes early and I can come and play," Taumalolo said after the Chiefs training session in Hamilton yesterday.

"It may be my last game on McLean Park for a while so I'm keen to come home and help the Chiefs have a good performance," said the Tonga World Cup star who has played 61 games for the Magpies since 2005.

Taumalolo, 30, has yet to hear from his agent where he will be playing after the Super season. Several French clubs are interested in his services.

"The Magpies are still an option at this stage, too," Taumalolo said.

Providing baby's arrival works in with the Chiefs schedule, Taumalolo is eager to play alongside his fellow Magpies in the Chiefs side.

"We've got more Magpies than the Crusaders, so hopefully, the Hawke's Bay fans get in behind us," Taumalolo said.

While he has continued his outstanding World Cup form for the Chiefs, Taumalolo said he still had plenty of work to do and had been working closely with Coventry seeking improvement. He was pleased with the debut of fellow Magpies prop Ben Tameifuna in the Chiefs 29-14 win against the Blues last week.

"Ben has got heaps of work to do on his fitness but he is doing good. Ben calls me Uncle but we're not that closely related," Taumalolo said. The Clive club player impressed with his scrummaging against the All Blacks in the World Cup and scored Tonga's only try in the game.

Naturally he is keen to repeat that form on Friday night should he make the trip south from Hamilton.

"I want to get out there and get stuck into the Crusaders.

"They've got a good scrum ... we want to prove we can do better," Taumalolo said.

He is also eager to help the Chiefs gain revenge for a 25-19 loss to the Crusaders at McLean Park last year.

When Taumalolo is in this sort of mood, he is inspirational and it will be no surprise if one or two Crusaders props are hoping the Taumalolo family's second child arrives on the due date.