By Jon Geddes; Image – Serge Gonzalez

EASTWOOD coach Ben Batger was delighted his powerhouse No.12 Enoka Muliufi had packed on 10kgs   when he lobbed at pre-season training this year.

Adding that bulk to his frame meant Muliufi tipped the scales at an imposing 115kg and was ready to do what he does best – causing havoc to opposition teams in the midfield.

In the Woodies last two victories over Norths and West Harbour, the 27-year-old showed just what a weapon he can as he got his revitalised team on the front foot with his strong carries.

“He has gone back to ‘Big Noks’,” Batger told Rugby News. “He came to me at 117kg and he went down to 105 and now he back to around 115 and that is where he plays his best footy.

“Everyone kept telling him to get fitter, but in reality he was a better player as a heavier player.

“And he carries it pretty well, he’s got as good turn of speed for a big man, so why not play that way?”

Muliufi has demonstrated that the proof of the pudding is in the eating – as well as on the field – as he currently leads the competition for tackle breaks.

“And he gives us tremendous go forward,” Batger said. “He’s just a human cannonball.”

Muliufi originally came from Auckland and after a season with West Harbour, he linked up with Batger at Eastwood in 2019.

“He’s always been really good and one of our best every year – but this season I think he has gone to another level,” Batger said.

He has been on the peripheral level of Super Rugby and the Brumbies were keen to look at him last year, but it didn’t work out with his family commitments at that time.

And Muliufi has been a key figure in the Woodies’ recent lift in performances.                    

THE TRUTH SESSION

EASTWOOD, who are always a premiership contender, are again finding their rhythm after losing three of their first four games.

But after consecutive victories over Souths, Norths and West Harbour they have fought their way into fifth spot ahead of Saturday’s game against Warringah at TG Millner Field.

“It was a little frustrating to start the year, we seem to have steadied the ship somewhat,” Batger said. “We have definitely improved from the first three rounds when we were a little disorganized.

“We’ve got a few troops back that has helped and we’ve started to eradicate some of our basic errors which were killing us.”

One key area addressed was the team’s discipline, which had become a real issue.

“In last week’s game they were penalised less than 10 times for the first time this season,” Batger said.

“We are the second most penalised team in the competition and we have received the most yellow cards.

“It doesn’t take Einstein to work out that is not going to help you in a football game.”

Batger also admitted there was no hiding from the fact their scrum and lineout were the worst in the competition.

“We’ve had to change a few things and gone back to a bit more basic set up and that has probably

helped us out,” he said.

And it was no coincidence the team’s resurgence coincided with a “truth session” that Batger held.

“I actually challenged the senior players after the first few rounds, I didn’t think they were playing that well,” the coach revealed.

“I said ‘we need you guys to lead us out there’,” he said. “It was a really young team those first three or four rounds and they were probably too busy trying to look after everyone else and they forgot to look after themselves.  

“In the last couple of weeks I think they have really lifted their game which obviously lifts the team when the senior players are playing better.”

RAT TRAP

BATGER is very wary of this week’s opponents the Rats, who are sitting in second last on the table.

“I think they are one of those teams that are going to come good at some stage, it’s just a matter of when,” Batger said. “And we are ideally hoping it’s not against us.

“It’s quite a talented team, you’ve got Sam Thomson there in the second row who played with the Brumbies, Ben Marr with the Australian Sevens and Conor Hickey is a good player as well.

“They probably remind me a bit of us in the first few rounds, they just haven’t clicked yet.

“So we are well aware that it is a very dangerous game.”