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Cold welcome for Samoan ace but Misi is warming to his Eagles adventure
NEW signing Samoan international Misi Taulapapa will train with the squad at Sheffield Eagles for the first time tonight.
The former Cronulla Sharks winger watched the Eagles in action in the 18-18 draw at Featherstone Rovers on Sunday.
"The game wasn't as fast as I expected but it's very aggressive and physical - I think I'll like it," he said as he shivered in the cold during his first experience of 'summer rugby'.
Taulapapa was well wrapped up in a couple of tracksuits against the icy cold as he adjusted to life in the UK after arriving from the Australian sunshine less than 24 hours before.
Coach Mark Aston hopes to give the 28-year-old a debut in the Northern Rail Cup group B game against York Knights at Don Valley on Sunday.
"If Misi is looking comfortable we will get him in against York. Having a player who has made 40-plus appearances in the NRL is exciting," he said,
"You have to give a new player the opportunity to show just where they are in match readiness - we'll see at training."
For Taulapapa it was the end of a frustrating couple of weeks as he waited for a UK entry visa then faced last-minute flight delays.
He said: "I'm really excited about coming to the UK. I've been away from the game for a time and it's good to get over here finally. It'll be good to meet the team and have a chance to play."
Aston added: "Misi has been training in Australia - he hasn't been doing the intense training we have for the last couple of months, but he's been training on his own and playing quite a lot of touch rugby. His fitness should be fine, but that's not like having game time."
Centre Menzie Yere will re-join the Eagles this week - over a month after he was due to report for pre-season training.
Winger Danny Mills has also come through a hernia operation with no problems.
"Things are starting to fall into place now," said Aston. "Menzie will be back and Danny Mills is six weeks away from a return."
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
