You’re 24, already had numerous major injuries and played for three different NRL clubs in less than five years, making just 18 games in the top grade. Next step? Play in the world’s most attended football league.
This scenario may be ambitious to say the least but it is the quest currently being undertaken by former Tigers, Dragons and Sydney Roosters NRL winger Peni Tagive, as he jets out to take up an athletic scholarship to play American football.
In making the move, Tagive has raised the bar for goal setting and, if nothing else, added another chapter to the weird pen-pal like relationship rugby league and American football have shared over the years.
First things first.
For those wondering in 40 odd days’ time why Tagive isn’t playing quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, Peni will be playing college football, at Baylor University.
And the term playing is a pretty loose one here, as exactly what Tagive’s football experience will entail could vary wildly depending on how he can transfer his skills to a different sport.
In saying that though, it is not as if Tagive is heading overseas to play holder for a community college out the back of Butte either.
The fact Baylor is in Texas tells you they take football seriously enough, and there’s the fact the Bears’ 50,000 seat Floyd Casey stadium could quite comfortably accommodate the 8,972 attendance that was Tagive’s fan-base in his final year at Newtown.
Also, some bloke named RG3 (did his parents name him after a number plate?) who won a Heineken award or something used to go round for them too.
All jokes aside, what Tagive has already achieved in obtaining a scholarship is a pretty big deal, and when you consider that a lot of blokes who were facing their dream fading away at such a young age may have decided to put on 60kg and play for the Killarney Cutters, he looks a bloke who got tossed a lemon and made it into a multinational lemonade conglomerate.
On top of this, Tagive also has the chance to actually make a bit of a name for Australian rugby league if he really hits his straps.
There have been a few false starts over the years. Before he was flogging fleecy track tops, Paul Sironen had a year training with the Hawaiian Warriors, and former Kangaroo Mark Harris was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles (the Greg Smith’s old club) before settling to punt in Canada instead.
Ever since he made his NRL debut in 2008 it’s been pretty clear the talent Tagive possesses, and if this former Newtown Jet could finally repay the NFL for Manfred Moore I think all rugby league fans would be proud.
While an NFL berth for Tagive in the future is a long shot that Sav Rocca would struggle to punt the distance of, the fact a player who was cruelled by injury has (if nothing else) gotten another shot at his dream and a free education to boot makes you feel pretty good as a sports fan.
Clear eyes? Full heart?
The kid can’t lose.
RebelRanger
Guest
At 23 I still have a chance of getting into a college football team?
muzz
Guest
exactly!
peeeko
Roar Guru
stop talking sense, he doesnt understand it
Vhavnal
Roar Rookie
Dan Skuta, played linebacker and fullback for the San Francisco 49ers
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Great piece Chris, wasn't aware of this. Good luck to Peni, getting a scholarship is a great effort as Baylor are no mugs as a program. It will be interesting to see what position he will play, Linebacker or Running back perhaps. I can't recall many if any Fijian's having a crack in the US. There are plenty of Samoan and Tongans playing College and NFL but no Fijians.
Glenn Innis
Guest
Also Oilkee you can blame the Broncs for the lack of NRL football in Brisbane, they have played the football politics superbly for a long time to ensure they keep their monopoly over the greater Brisbane market.
Glenn Innis
Guest
America has three hundred million peopla and about thirty pro football clubs, you can imagine just how hard it is to make the grade, I don't think there will a big exodus any time soon.
The Womp
Guest
Always liked Peni, hope he does well for himself. What Frat House is he going to join?
The Womp
Guest
"If the NRL does not turn professional fast..." So, what's Cameron Smith's day job again?
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Before anyone makes the mistake of thinking Oikee has any clue, what are the kids measurables, including 40 time, 3 cone shuttle and so on.
Dave from Cyclone Country
Guest
Check this guy out!! Pat O'Dea. http://www.profootballresearchers.org/Coffin_Corner/21-04-813.pdf
oikee
Guest
Peeeko, Samoans and Tongans would easily make the NFL, they do now. Our code is reliant on our big Island players, the overall size of the NRL players is increasing by 1 inch every 2 years. I have done the stats on this rate. You can look them up on line. The more opur players grow, and they will, the more likely the NFL and Union will continue to rape, puillage and plunder our code, because our skills are second to none.
Kebab
Guest
Just imagine how good GI pre knee damage would be at NFL
peeeko
Roar Guru
He wasn't disillusioned, he just didn't make it. Do you realize how hard it is to make it in the NFL? You seriously think promising league players will quit NRL, go to college for 4 years without pay for a very small chance that you could make it to the NFL? That is without any background or experience in gridiron? Unless you are enormous like Jesse Williams or lightning quick, the odds of asking it are really slim. Also I don't know how many nrl players are disillusioned but you definitely seem to be, or more so delirious with your conspiracy theories on how refs are rigging matched in favour of Sydney teams
Chris Chard
Expert
Ha ha yeh hope so Rob, unlike that clown at Newcastle Manfred was the real deal and still stays in touch with the mighty Jets!
Bearfax
Guest
Good luck Peni.
Robshots
Roar Guru
If he can't play I hope he has a trick up his sleeve like Manfred Moore did. I saw him throw a ball over the grandstand at Appin dogs as a kid. I believe his finest rugby league hour was doing the same over the King George V stand at Henson Park too.
Steve
Guest
Chris, similar type of build to Thretton Palamo, the youngest player to go to a rugby world cup at 18. He stayed in France and trialled at Biarritz, didn't make the squad and moved back to Utah and took up a scholarship at Utah but has never settled on position and coaches haven't been able to determine his best position in order to get drafted despite huge wraps and potential and some good plays. He started at running back, then linebacker and just about everywhere else. I think he's decided to go back to rugby. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
oikee
Guest
The point is that Athletes are becoming dissillusioned with the NRL and opportunities involved in our game and can easily walk into a 400 million population with 40 times the opportunity Australia can offer. If this code does not start to get things right, it will end up like the Super league in England, going backwards and struggling to keep players. This is a warning, our code needs to act, fixing the refereeing would be a start.
Chris Chard
Expert
Think you're right Steve, the position i've heard him being earmarked for so far is linebacker which I have to admit surprised me a bit. Hayden Smith is an interesting case, basketball to Rugby union to the NFL....pretty amazing career to date. Hopefully the Jets will give a bit more time on the paddock this year