Sio Siua Taukeiaho knows the task that awaits him without banned Sydney Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
And he’s ready to embrace it in Saturday night’s preliminary final against Melbourne’s monster pack at the SCG.
Typically one of the hardest toilers in the NRL, Taukeiaho has already proven he can step up without partner-in-crime Waerea-Hargreaves.
In the last three years alone he’s even thrived in that situation, with his best games often coming when Waerea-Hargreaves is out of the side.
Feeling the responsibility of being a leader in the middle, his workload increases by 39 per cent from 120 metres per game to 167 when without his fellow prop.
His tackle count goes up marginally too, something which will no doubt be replicated with Waerea-Hargreaves out for one match for tripping.
“It’s always good when you have someone like Jared alongside you, just for his aggressiveness and brutality,” Taukeiaho told AAP.
“It makes you feel comfortable. But we’re not going to have him this week.
“I know for myself I am going to have to go out there and get through more work.”
Taukeiaho only completed light training drills on Monday, but hopes to get through a full session on Thursday as he battles a groin strain.
But he insists he is in no doubt for Saturday night’s blockbuster, and his body will be ready for the titanic clash with Melbourne’s middle that awaits.
“I’ve just got to go out there and lead from the front. And just prepare for a brutal game,” he said.
“With these finals games you can’t leave anything in the tank, you just have to go out and empty it all out,” he said.
“Against Melbourne you want to be better. I want to be touching the ball more often. I want to be tackling more often. But you want to be dominant as well.”
Taukeiaho won’t be asked to do it alone against the likes of Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
While the Roosters’s record drops from 74 per cent with Waerea-Hargreaves to 44 per cent without him in the past three seasons, they are better placed than in previous years.
Along with Taukeiaho’s presence, Isaac Liu has had an increased role in the middle this year, starting at prop in the last five games.
“That (extra responsibility) definitely helps,” Liu said.
“Jared has been out a few games. As a player and a senior I have taken a bit of responsibility in how to lead the pack.
“It’s definitely going to be a tough game. I think it’s going to be a battle in the middle both physically and mentally.
“With what we have been through throughout the year, even without Jared, we can trust the boys that come in to replace him.”
