Tuiaki sets new club record

Taniela Tuiaki just smiled and grinned. Apart from scoring tries, crushing defenders and telling jokes, it is part of his make-up.

The powerful but quietly spoken winger had just been told about setting a new club record for most tries in a season but there were no high fives.

Just a big smile - wide enough to expose that gold tooth.

In scoring three tries in the 56-10 romp over the Sharks, Tuiaki passed the record set by former premiership winning winger Pat Richards of 20 tries in 28 games in 2005. And a few of those tries came through the finals series.

Tuiaki has now established his own record of 21 tries in 21 games this season - a record that will take some beating.

Furthermore, he is now just one try away from equalling the record of most tries for the Wests Tigers. The current record stands at 43 tries in 119 games set by former winger Daniel Fitzhenry.

It was also the third time in Tuiaki's career that he had scored three tries in a match - the first being against the Warriors at Leichhardt Oval in 2008 and the second against Souths at ANZ Stadium this season.

Tuiaki now has 42 tries in 77 games. Right on his heels is five-eighth Benji Marshall - 39 tries in 100 games, setting the scene for an exciting contest between the two house-mates.

Wests Tigers Assistant Coach Royce Simmons said Tuiaki brought plenty to the team, on and off the field.

"For a quiet bloke, once he gets to know everyone, he is a bit of a character in the side,'' Simmons said.

"Outside of scoring the tries, he brings a lot of joy in his humour and helps to spark the place up. He is a funny man and he is very good for our side.

"Taniela carries the ball every week about 150 metres, he is like another front-rower. On top of that he is putting the ball over the line fairly regularly so he is a very important part of our side.

"He also gives us a few laughs which is good for team morale.''

And as for a media report that linked Tuiaki to Japanese rugby, well, he just smiled. This time though, it was accompanied by a laugh!