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The June Internationals performances of Joe Taufete’e for the USA were truly amazing. The Eagles hooker played in the wins over Russia and Scotland, being a stand-out performer on both occasions.
The USA’s mid-year international campaign saw Taufete’e scoring two tries in both matches that he played in. He may have score more had he also played in the match against Canada. Instead he missed out on playing in Halifax for personal reasons.
His four tries in the June Internationals sees him having a return of 12 tries from 16 test matches. This means he is rapidly closing in on Keith Wood who scored 15 tries 63 test match appearances. No front-rower has more than the former Irish captain.
Taufete’e’s second try against Scotland will go down as one of the great solo scores of 2018. From the back of a maul he detached to bump off two tacklers in one collision, then see off two more as he powered his way to touch down for the Eagles.
Yet the amazing June Internationals performances of Joe Taufete’e were about far more than scoring tries. In general play he was world-class as both a defender and a ball-carrier. With off-loading also being in his repertoire he is very much a leading hooker in global rugby today.
