After being hampered by injury in 2014, veteran utility forward Dene Halatau proved in 2015 that versatility is not lost in the NRL — taking on a range of different roles to help guide a young Wests Tigers side through the year.
Entering his 13th season in first-grade and his ninth at Wests Tigers, Halatau began the 2015 season coming off the bench for the first two months of the year before being promoted to the starting back-row in Round 10 against the Newcastle Knights.
When Robbie Farah was away on Origin duty and out with injury, Halatau again proved his value and versatility when he packed down at hooker for the next seven matches.
The versatile utility captained the side for the first time in his career in Round 11, and later reached his 150th game for the Club in when Wests Tigers travelled to Brisbane in Round 19. When Farah returned to the side, Halatau remained in the starting line-up with Jason Taylor naming him in the back-row and at lock forward for the final rounds.
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Season Stats
Games |
Tries |
Goals |
Points |
Metres |
Runs |
Tackles |
22 |
4 |
- |
16 |
966m |
107 |
514 |
Best Game — Round 22 vs. Canberra Raiders
A team highlight of 2015 was the impressive away win against the Raiders in the Nation’s Capital. Halatau was pivotal in the side’s victory, playing back-row and making several inroads on the right edge. The former New Zealand forward played 80 minutes, racking up nine runs for 80 metres, with a line break and two tackle breaks in the 20-18 victory.
Season Highlight — Round 11 vs. Cowboys
With both Robbie Farah and Aaron Woods away on Origin duty, Halatau lead the side out onto Campbelltown Sports Stadium as captain for the first time in his career in Round 11 against the North Queensland Cowboys. And while the match itself didn't quite go according to the script (with Wests Tigers losing 8-0 on the night), the match itself was a fitting achievement and reward for a great servant of the Club and rugby league.
Milestones and Achievements
Round 11 — Captained Wests Tigers for the first time in his career
Round 19 — 150 NRL games for Wests Tigers
