Rugby league romance faces awkward test

He did well to get his dad and brothers to support him last week even though they’re all Bulldogs fans, but Tommy Talau faces an even tougher challenge on Saturday when his Sea Eagles take on Jess Sergis’ Roosters in a sudden death semi-final.

You don’t often need to convince your partner to support your team with the season on the line, but this is a unique situation given Talau’s girlfriend just so happens to be one of the biggest stars in the world and plays for the club he’s coming up against.

Sergis was in the sheds after the game on Sunday afternoon and will be at her home ground Allianz Stadium for the blockbuster clash, with the strike centre currently unavailable for the NRLW squad as she deals with a knee injury.

“I’ve already asked her and I’d like to think it’s me,” Talau told the NewsWire when asked who she’ll support.

“You’d think that she’s going for the Roosters, but she told me that she’s going for me.

“If I see her cheering for the Roosters in the crowd then I won’t be happy.

“If I’m here then I don’t see why (she wouldn’t wear a Manly jersey) but I don’t think the Roosters would be too happy with that.”

The pair have been dating since last year, with Talau crediting Sergis for improving his game which has seen him score a career-high 17 tries this season in his first year for Manly.

“Earlier in the year when there wasn’t much footy being played, that’s when I was doing some training with her,” he said.

“I feel like she’s been good for me mentally, and if your life is good off the field then you’re going to give yourself the best chance to be good on the field.

“My life’s pretty good for me at the moment and I’m very happy. I’m relaxed and settled, and that’s something she definitely brings to my life.”

While he’s confident Sergis will support him, Talau had to convince his family to cheer him on last week given his dad, Willie, used to play for the Bulldogs.

“I don’t know if he was going for Manly, but he was definitely going for me. Wherever I go, he’ll support me,” he said.

“All my brothers were all Bulldogs supporters growing up and I played all my junior football for the Bulldogs so it was weird and surreal to play them.”

Talau settled the nerves with an early try in his first finals game, while things didn’t go as smoothly for fellow winger Lehi Hopoate who was held to a career-low 3.4 metres per carry by a Bulldogs edge that went after him.

The young gun was smashed around by Viliame Kikau but he didn’t give up, with Hopoate popping a pass for a crucial Ethan Bullemor try just before half-time.

“My performance wasn’t the best on the weekend, but to be able to stick at it and not run away from the game was important for me,” he said.

“Growing up, you’re taught that when players are really coming after you, that’s the time that you have to get involved in the game.

“I’m proud of myself for where I’ve come from because it’s been a journey. I looked up to Kikau and was watching him on TV a couple of years ago.

“He’s twice my size and definitely taught me a lesson, but my mindset is to not go away from the game.”

Hopoate’s perseverance wasn’t lost on some of his more famous teammates.

“You see the way that he carries himself, I wish I was that calm,” Tom Trbojevic said.

“The way that he’s able to handle the negatives that come his way is a credit to him. As a kid, I definitely didn’t have that in my game. He’s going to be some player.”