Shoulder fixed as Taufua eyes Manly best
Manly winger Jorge Taufua has spent more hours than usual on the physio's table this summer but hopefully for all the right reasons this time.
One of the most destructive outside men in the competition during his first two years in the NRL, the 2013 grand final must seem a long time ago for Taufua.
He was the first try-scorer in the decider against the Sydney Roosters, posted 20 tries that season and was a State of Origin contender for NSW.
But in the five-and-a-half years since, Taufua's gone under the knife nine times and is yet to get through a season injury free.
His long list of issues includes operations on both knees, his left ankle and left shoulder, and five on his right shoulder. Yes, five.
"In 2016 I cracked the collarbone, they plated it. I got an infection and played through it. I got it all fixed at the end," Taufua told AAP.
"At the end of 2017 I took the plate out because I didn't want metal in my body. And then in 2018 I cracked it again against Souths, let it heal, it didn't heal at all.
"So then in November they took bone graft from my left knee and they bridged the gap with blood supply and healed it with a plate and its healed up well."
Taufua is now one of several players thriving under coach Des Hasler's second coming at the Narrabeen base.
The club has brought in new and extra medical staff, with Hasler getting his former physio from Canterbury in James Rahme and another specialist offsider.
It's allowed a doubling of the time and support given to Taufua, with the 27-year-old again believing in his own fitness.
"Having two physios on deck just helps getting non-stop treatment before and after sessions," he said.
"Before I had at most one a day, now I'm having more and they're using different tools and techniques.
"I would like to play a full season healthy and be consistent and elevate my game; not just be a yardage carrier but be better in defence."
