An exclusive interview with Joe Taufete’e
U.S. Eagles legend Joe Taufete’e opens up about his journey into rugby, breaking world records, mentoring younger teammates, and life in New Orleans. From scrums to smoothies to Simpsons, don’t miss this insightful and personal Q&A with one of rugby’s fiercest front rowers.
Q: Joe, you’ve had a great career in rugby so far—what drew you to the sport in the first place?
Joe Taufete’e: My rugby career started at Belmont Shore Youth Rugby Club when I was 17. I met this woman, and she’s now my wife. She brought me around the family, and rugby was my way to impress them because rugby was all they would talk about when we would sit down for dinners, weddings, graduation parties, or whatever occasion. That was the topic of conversation with the kids my age. So I wanted to impress the family that way, so I started playing rugby aside from going to football practice at junior college in Santa Ana, California. So yeah, 10 years later, here we are.
Q: As a hooker, you’re in a key position for both scrums and lineouts. How do you balance the technical aspects of those areas in your training?
Joe Taufete’e: Nico does a good job of ensuring we’re clear. Regarding technical aspects of the game, we’re all in tune as a forward pack. We try to be as close-knit and understand each person’s role and where they need to be. The physical side of it is just about pitching up and putting your best forward, and you know, because of the time we took to work in the classroom, we’re gonna go at it at 100%.
Q: You’ve earned an impressive 37 caps with the U.S. Eagles. What have those international experiences taught you, and how have they shaped your approach to the game at the club level with NOLA Gold?
Joe Taufete’e: Playing for the U.S. has shaped my whole career in terms of how much experience other players worldwide have. Being able to compete with the Eagles 37 times, you know you eventually get used to what the level is meant to be at, so when you come down to club rugby, whether that be in England or New Orleans or anywhere across the world, you try to replicate that same kind of reputation.
Q: As one of the more experienced players, how do you help mentor the younger players on the team?
Joe Taufete’e: Earlier in the season we came in and a lot of the boys, especially the hookers, are young like Ale and Abe. So, Ale, Abe, and I would always get together and do extra throwing sessions or sit down and talk about rugby. We’d make a competition out of different throwing drills, and whoever loses would get Smoothie King for each other. That’s just part of my way of being there, mentoring them, and helping them prepare for what to expect down the line. I’ve been in their shoes; being a young guy on the team and trying to maneuver through that can be a task.
Q: What is your strongest skill on the field, and how have you worked to develop it?
Joe Taufete’e: I’ve always had a knack for carrying the ball. Even growing up, you know you always wanna beat your brother or your cousin in everything you’re doing, so it was mainly wrestling when we were kids. A lot of the physical aspects of the game are where I thrive. I can attest to that because growing up, you know, any other Poly’s, they grow up with other bigger people, so I would say that being able to carry the ball has helped me and transcended my career.
Q: In 2019, you made history by surpassing Ireland’s Keith Wood to become the highest-scoring front row forward in test match rugby history. How did it feel to reach that milestone, and what does that record mean to you personally and professionally?
Joe Taufete’e: It was walking faith. When I first started playing rugby, it was a walk-in faith, and professionally, it’s huge not only for myself and my family, but for the sport of rugby in the US. That’s the biggest aim for many USA players, especially myself, who have the experience and ability to go over the season and play in the top leagues. I can see what the U.S. could be like in the future when the World Cup gets here. That’s the biggest thing that rugby has done for my career in 2019. It exposed a little bit of that and was a great win for the U.S. overall.
Q: The Utah Warriors won against NOLA Gold earlier this season. With the upcoming match on May 24, what adjustments are you and the team focusing on to turn the tide and secure a win?
Joe Taufete’e: Looking back at the game we played in Utah this season, you know it was a gut-wrencher. They put up eight tries against us, which we were in total control of because many of those were within 0 phases of a line-out attack or scrum play. A lot of the focus for this game coming up is making sure that we keep them down in the areas that we want them to play in, not let them in on easy scores, and make them work for the tries.
Q: Have you given any advice to your teammates who have just been called up to the Eagles’ Extended squad, as you’re a returning player?
Joe Taufete’e: Yeah, Wags and I would talk now and then, and he would share his experience during the PNC (Pacific Nations Cup). For the homegrown guys, I think they’ve got a lot to look forward to, especially with the MLR, being in the U.S. With the amount of competition that comes through here, before I went overseas, we didn’t have this and for them to be able to be a part of the MLR is huge. Especially for someone who’s homegrown like Wags, born and raised in New Orleans, which is awesome, and Chase Jones, that’s a guy who comes to mind. I just tell them to keep their head down and control what they can control, and that’s what we do here at NOLA.
Q: What have you enjoyed the most about living in New Orleans so far?
Joe Taufete’e: So far, the people have been amazing. I’ve got a place right in Metairie, and you know my neighbors are great. One of my neighbors is a season ticket holder. He’s a fire station captain, so I think the atmosphere, neighborhood, people, and food have been fantastic.
Q: How do you maintain work-life balance, especially as a husband and dad to three children?
Joe Taufete’e: The first thing is that my wife does a great job at home with the kids. The move here to New Orleans has brought us closer. You know, when it’s hot we’re inside, so we gotta keep the kids busy, which means continuing to be there for their fights, helping each other, and trying to take moments to trade off. It’s a balance, and I think it’s a testimony to my wife and what she does at home as a mother, you know, especially all the mothers out there. Happy late Mother’s Day, put that in there as a shout out!
Rapid fire questions
What’s the most ridiculous thing that has ever happened on the pitch?
It’s when Moni yelled at his brother on the field in the San Diego game. You know that, tough brotherly love, for me to be in the game and watch those two play together is probably one of the funniest things, cause they’re yelling at each other, but you know it comes from a good place. There’s no holdback on many swear words, so seeing that right in front of me was fun. You look at the San Diego game, and the boys had fun, and you know that’s what rugby is about, just enjoying each other’s company through the hard parts of the sport.
If you could swap lives with any cartoon character for a day, who would it be?
Homer Simpson
Captions on or off during a movie?
Captions on, I’m old now.
Dream car?
It’s a dream car I want to get for my wife, which is a 1966 Mustang
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?
Some kind of Praline or Dulce de Leche flavor.
Stay tuned for more exclusive Gold Talk interviews as we follow NOLA GOLD’s journey through the season! Plus, don’t miss out on the action—get your tickets now and cheer on NOLA GOLD at their next home match!
