'Deja vu': Sharks rookie's dream debut for Greece

After scoring Greece’s first World Cup try, teenage Sharks winger Siteni Taukamo revealed how he had dreamed the night before about achieving the historic feat in his Test debut against France.

Taukamo, who is contracted to Cronulla until 2024, had put his HSC exams and 18th birthday celebrations on hold for the opportunity to represent Greece at the World Cup and it was a decision he didn’t regret.

“It’s our first World Cup so I am stoked to even be here. I only had my 18th birthday eight days ago,” Taukamo said after the 34-12 loss.

With Sydney Roosters supremo Nick Politis looking on in his role as Greece’s major backer and Trent Robinson in the French coach’s box, Taukamo’s 56th minute try ensured him a place in the record books.

The Cronulla flier scored after chasing a perfectly weighted grubber kick from Greece captain Jordan Meads behind the French defence that bounced up for him to catch and race across the tryline for Greece’s first World Cup try.

“I actually had a dream about scoring a try, so it’s deja vu,” Taukamo said. “It was the exact same thing - off a kick and scoring.”

Australian-born with Greek, Tongan and New Zealand heritage, Taukamo has followed in the footsteps of brother Tyrone, who was one of the most sought-after schoolboys stars a few years ago.

Tyrone played for Greece in the 2018 Emerging Nations World Cup and coach Steve Georgallis has been closely watching Siteni’s development in recent seasons.

A Gymea Gorillas junior, Taukamo captained Cronulla’s Harold Mathews Cup team in 2020 before signing a four-year contract with the club.

“Siteni was at the point earlier this year where we thought we couldn’t take him,” Georgallis said.

“We knew about him after his brother played for us a few years ago but because he was only 17-years-old, we weren’t sure he could play. Then we worked out he turned 18 the same week as our first game.

“It was his birthday last Saturday, which meant he could play, but we tried to keep the celebrations low key.”

The celebrations were more boisterous after Taukamo crossed in the 56th minute and South Sydney centre Nick Mougios scored just before fulltime from a brilliant Billy Magoulias kick.

“I am just so proud of the effort the players put in,” Georgallis said. “You have got to remember we were playing a professional team and there are probably only three or four players in our team who professionally train.

“The rest do it as a second job and some don’t even do it as a job. They don’t get paid, so I just can’t believe the effort they put in.

“To score that try right at the end sums up how much it means to them to play for Greece and how much it is going to mean for Greece to have rugby league as part of their sporting culture there.”