Starford To'a admits he initially turned down an offer to sign with the Wests Tigers but now the junior Kiwi believes the joint venture is where he can grow into one of the competition’s form centres.
Having started the year in NSW Cup, To’a was preparing himself for another rollercoaster season but since being recalled to first grade in Round 5, the 22-year-old said he will do everything to ensure the move to Concord was the right one.
“The club reached out in 2021 but I turned it down at first because I wanted to stay at my previous club (Knights), but it turned out they weren't 100 per cent keen.
“I was told I’d get the opportunity to play centre here as well, which I wasn't given at my previous club. So I made the decision to jump ship and start fresh.
“I moved from New Zealand when I was 17 to play SG Ball for the Knights and went on to play Under 20s, ressies and made my debut there so it was a tough decision to leave.
“The last two years have been pretty up and down but I think I’m really starting to find my form, play consistently and I’m enjoying my footy which I think is also helping my performances.”
Double don't argue from To'a
Playing NRL at the hallowed ground of Leichhardt Oval was something To'a had looked forward to most this season but having started his season in NSW Cup, the Auckland born centre was left to prove his wares in a Magpies jersey.
Watching from the sideline as Tim Sheens' side fell short in back-to-back Leichhardt games, To'a said he was filled with a determination to prove he was a first grader.
To'a for two
“I started the year in reserve grade when we had two home games here at Leichhardt and I missed both of them which I was pretty filthy about,” he said.
“Especially because this is our fortress and this is the ground you want to pay at the most.
“I think missing those games game me a lot of motivation to just really worked hard and get back to first-grade.
“It was pretty hard for me to know what to work on. Sheensy didn't really specify what I needed to do.
“He just said that he still had full confidence in me to play first grade, I just needed to get the opportunity.
"When he gave me one I took it and he's been really supportive of me and really given me confidence over the last few weeks.”
Recently going head-to-head with Valentine Holmes, To’a played out of his skin at Leichhardt in what marked his 50th NRL game, outperforming the Australian international in tries (2-0), line breaks (5-0), tackle breaks (12-1) and run metres (230-163).
“We've got some good young players coming through with Jahream (Bula) and Junior (Tupou) and the coaches have challenged us the last few weeks to go toe-to-toe with the other teams back five," he said.
"We’re all only 22 or under besides Nofa (Nofoaluma) so there’s not many games between us in the back five but we’ve all stepped up to the challenge and we’re all confident in our ability to match it with any team.
"I played a bit of fullback growing up but at the moment I'm really enjoying centre.
"Being in the line, I like defending and helping my winger out. I like having an edge connection as well, defending with people alongside me and getting a lot of early ball out wide and in space."
To’a said the Tigers 2023 recruits including the likes of Api Koroisau, Isaiah Papali’i and David Klemmer have brought a wealth of new skill and experience to the 2023 squad and Klemmer in particular has been an important mentor for himself.
Klemmer breaks through
“Having Api around the ruck really has really helped our front pack in going forward and credits their game.
“I always look at him as a leader, knowing that he's won three championships, you know, someone you can go to for advice. He knows when stuff's not going right and when we need to change it.
“So I was really excited when he came and Isaiah Papali’i as well, they've really complimented our group.
“I was with also with Klem at Newcastle a couple of years ago and he used to call me student and I’d call him teacher, so it was really good when he joined the club this year.
“We do gym a lot together, he says I’ve graduated now to a co-worker.”
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