Mon 9 Jul 2012 | 10:17
Departing prop Sona Taumalolo's great run against the Crusaders

4
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Fan favourite Sona Taumalolo will be leaving the Chiefs to spend three and a half years with Perpignan soon, as he looks to set up a secure future for himself and his family. He caught the eye with this fantastic run against the Crusaders on the weekend.

We all love watching props score great tries, and we have many archived here on RD, so when big Tongan Taumalolo streaked off down field and almost set up a try, it had to be posted.

Also known as Arizona, Taumalolo played for Tonga in the 2011 Rugby World Cup and as you may remember, was one of those pumped up about scrumming late in the game against France.

He's a bit of a cult hero at the Chiefs, mainly for his positive outlook on the game and his incredible try scoring record too. This season he has already scored eight, the most in the Chiefs side and only flyers Lwazi Mvovo, Bjorn Basson, and Andre Taylor are above him on the top tryscorers list.

He will move to France to take up a contract with Perpignan, a challenge the father of two young daughters says he's looking forward to, even if it was a tough decision to make.

"It's going to be a big move for me and my family. Obviously I'm going to miss the Chiefs boys here... but I can't do this forever," said the 30 year old front rower.

"It is going to be hard, because it will always feel like my home here, but in my career I can't play forever so I couldn't see any other way but to go now."

He leaves New Zealand a week after the Chiefs finish their Super Rugby campaign, so despite going down 28-21 to the Crusaders, will look to finish on a high, with a Super Rugby title under his belt.

If you enjoy this clip, take a look at the related posts below for an incredible run from another Chiefs prop, Ben May, in 2008. His even included a dummied kick and a goosestep.

4 Comments

  • ianbru
    7:14 PM 09/07/2012

    Cue Welsh posters carrying on and on about Gethin Jenkins' try against Namibia...

  • pretzel
    3:13 PM 09/07/2012

    Shame the poor bloke didn't quite get there..

    I'd like to know how he did in that scrum right after busting a gut...

  • 2:06 PM 09/07/2012

    Run fatty! There's a big mac waiting for you at the try line!

    Should have backed himself and tried to fend off dagg. With his momentum he would have steamrolled pretty much everyone in the park, appart from his mountain of a nephew, Tameifuna.

    Great run from a great player who always come off as a great bloke, allways so pumped about his rugby and his team

  • guy
    1:43 PM 09/07/2012

    Great speed and a good eye for the gap. Great run all in all.

    And living proof why frontrowers should never, ever be allowed to kick the ball. Not even when you're this good.

    Lol