Things are tracking nicely for nib Newcastle Knights 2018 recruit Tautau Moga as he continues his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery in the off-season.
Now more than three months post operation, the centre has been progressing well in a routine rehabilitation program with a few other teammates.
“I've been with Barney (Mitch Barnett) and D-Saf (Daniel Saifiti), our little rehab crew is going well so far,” Moga told Knights TV.
“I'm almost there, just a couple of weeks away from any real contact but the strength and range is all there.
“I’m back doing skills but slowly getting into the non-contact work and I’m starting to progress with a little bit here and there to see how it feels.”
The centre is excited to get his hands on the ball and start forming combinations with left edge teammates.
“I’ve just started coming into skills work with Pearcy (Mitchell Pearce), Rossdog (Nathan Ross) and Fitzy (Lachlan Fitzgibbon) on the left edge but it is coming along well,” Moga explained.
At this stage, Moga looks to be working towards returning to play in Round 1 in March and has his eye on a starting spot.
“That’s everyone’s goal, to get that starting spot,” smiled Moga.
“We have some good young outside backs but my goal is trying to push for a starting spot.
He also appreciates his new surroundings in the Hunter region.
“I love it in Newcastle,” he said.
“It’s nice, good beaches.”
Meanwhile the 24-year-old has been selected, along with teammate Kalyn Ponga, in Queensland’s emerging Origin squad.
The squad contains the state’s most promising players and will assemble for a camp in late January on the Gold Coast.
“It’s always good to make those rep teams,” said Moga.
“Getting into the culture and seeing how it is, how the big boys train and hopefully follow on from there.”
