Tongan torpedo wants double figures
French-bound Chiefs prop Sona Taumalolo is vowing to score the try that will see him go joint top of Super Rugby's try-scoring table.
The Chiefs and Sharks go head-to-head in the Super Rugby Final in Hamilton on Saturday.
The always-smiling Tongan remarkably crossed for his ninth try of the season during the Dave Rennie-coached outfit's well-deserved 20-17 semifinal victory over the Crusaders last Friday.
Taumalolo is confident he scored his try legitimately – despite questions of illegally propelling his body over the line – after it was referred by referee Craig Joubert to television match official Garratt Williamson.
"One of their players put their hand under the ball and pushed it back, but I definitely scored it," he told Rugby News.
The 30-year-old is excited that his 52nd and last game for the Chiefs before he takes up a contract with French Top 14 side Perpignan will be a Super Rugby final at Waikato Stadium.
He is promising to mark the occasion by grabbing his 10th five-pointer, which will see him join outside backs Andre Taylor (Hurricanes) and Bjorn Basson (Bulls) at the top of the try-scoring standings.
"I want to get my hands on the ball and I'll be trying to score again," he says.
Taumalolo has become a cult figure for his try-scoring exploits and subsequent celebrations. Many have been from close-range, and he says he always backs himself to score whenever the ball is anywhere inside the opposition 22.
"I'm pretty confident that when the ball is close to the line, I will score. In my mind, when I come near the ball close to the line, I always see it as an opportunity to score and I back myself to do so."
He says the secret to his success is his low body positioning and leg drive, but also gives credit to his teammates for putting him in try-scoring positions.
"I have been quite lucky. The boys backing me up has allowed me to finish off. Still, scoring nine tries as a prop, I'm pretty happy about that."
As for the final, Taumalolo feels the Chiefs will be in with a good show of annexing their maiden Super Rugby title if they can replicate their intensity on defence from the Crusaders game.
"The boys are confident of doing so after beating one of the best sides," he says.
