With 19 minutes left on the clock within the State of Origin decider, the Blues held a 12-10 edge and sequence glory was inside grasp.
Then Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga steamed onto a Daly Cherry-Evans quick ball, slicing by way of Siosifa Talakai and Jarome Luai earlier than stepping James Tedesco to take a series-clinching lead.
Talakai hasn’t forgotten that second.
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The 25-year-old Cronulla star loved a breakout NRL season in 2022, highlighted by a shocking first half in opposition to the Sea Eagles in Round 7 when he scored two tries and arrange two extra in an unforgettable outing.
Talakai’s kind earned him a Blues call-up and the barnstorming centre featured off the bench in Game II and III — however the Sharks gun revealed lacking that sort out within the decider is considered one of his “biggest regrets”.
“If there’s one thing I could have done more, maybe make that tackle where Kalyn Ponga doesn’t score that try,” Talakai stated to Foxsports.com.au.
“That will definitely be one of my biggest regrets, but it is all part of the journey.
“I look back on it sometimes and I reflect on it as well, as a player, I am always trying to evolve and be better.
“It is definitely something that I always reflect on, but if the same thing happens again I know for sure I will definitely make that tackle next time.”
While NSW misplaced the sequence, Talakai is pleased with the way in which Brad Fittler’s facet competed till the ultimate whistle.
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“Origin is never easy, it is never meant to be easy,” Talakai stated.
“It all comes down to who is willing to go the furthest and compete the hardest, we got the wrong end of the stick and Queensland just out performed us, that’s what stood out.”
The Sharks gun started his profession within the backrow, making his NRL debut for the Rabbitohs in 2016 earlier than that includes for the Sharks in 2020.
Since then, Talakai’s position has modified drastically, and the consultant gun didn’t rule out a shift again to the ahead pack and even joked about enjoying within the halves.
“That’d be nice, kick the ball on the last,” Talakai stated.
“Nah I think I will stay in the centres for a bit, until my body gets older, I could possibly move back to the backrow, but it is all (Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon’s) call.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au