Footy star put knocked out teeth in his sock and kept playing before surgery

The Advertiser

19-06-2025

There's no doubt rugby union star Sione Taufui can inspire his teammates.
The Newcastle Willdfires player had dental surgery on Tuesday after having three teeth knocked out in his team's 31-6 loss.
Incredibly, the centre played on before he was eventually convinced to come from the field by the Wildfires' physiotherapist.
"Sione went into a jackal and got cleaned out," his coach Scott Coleman said. "The Gordon player's shoulder went straight into his face as Sione looked up.
"Sione picked up two of the three teeth - he couldn't find the other one - and played on.
"Initially, he held the teeth in his hand and when the ball went to the other side of the field, he put them in his sock.
"We got a turnover and kicked down field and he was the first chaser down there.
"When he was walking back, our physio noticed the blood around his mouth and went out to treat him.
"When Sione smiled, the physio freaked out and asked where are you teeth? He replied: in my sock.
"The physio had to drag him from the field. He didn't want to be replaced."
Taufui went to hospital where he was cleared of a broken jaw and had two teeth reinserted.
"He had dental surgery on Tuesday and has two more lots of surgery to come," Coleman said. "He wants to play this weekend, but we have ruled him out."
Coleman was confident the courage and commitment Taufui showed would rub off on his teammates after a poor display against Gordon.
"We highlighted Sione's effort in our match review on Monday," Colemand said. "It was an example of someone not giving up and working for his teammates. That is the toughness and commitment we want."
The loss to Gordon was the Wildfires' second straight and dropped them to third place on the Shute Shield ladder.
Coleman hopes to have fly-half Connor Winchester and fullback Peta Alofipo (groin) available against the Galloping Greens.
Both face fitness tests on Thursday.
Winchester hasn't played since the 40-20 win over Norths on May 17 after succumbing to bone bruising in his left leg.
"Connor had scans on his leg last week. The bone bruising is healing but is not completely right," Coleman said.
"He did modified training on Tuesday and has pulled up well. If he gets through a full session on Thursday and has no complaints on Friday, he will play.
"We have missed him. His calmness and ability to understand and execute a game plan is exceptional."
Randwick are fresh from a 33-31 win over Warrighah and have a host on NSW Waratahs back on deck.
"Halback Michael McDonald played against Warringah and they are expected to have Lawson Creighton, Triston Reilly and possibly Max Jorgensen back this week," Coleman said.
There's no doubt rugby union star Sione Taufui can inspire his teammates.
The Newcastle Willdfires player had dental surgery on Tuesday after having three teeth knocked out in his team's 31-6 loss.
Incredibly, the centre played on before he was eventually convinced to come from the field by the Wildfires' physiotherapist.
"Sione went into a jackal and got cleaned out," his coach Scott Coleman said. "The Gordon player's shoulder went straight into his face as Sione looked up.
"Sione picked up two of the three teeth - he couldn't find the other one - and played on.
"Initially, he held the teeth in his hand and when the ball went to the other side of the field, he put them in his sock.
"We got a turnover and kicked down field and he was the first chaser down there.
"When he was walking back, our physio noticed the blood around his mouth and went out to treat him.
"When Sione smiled, the physio freaked out and asked where are you teeth? He replied: in my sock.
"The physio had to drag him from the field. He didn't want to be replaced."
Taufui went to hospital where he was cleared of a broken jaw and had two teeth reinserted.
"He had dental surgery on Tuesday and has two more lots of surgery to come," Coleman said. "He wants to play this weekend, but we have ruled him out."
Coleman was confident the courage and commitment Taufui showed would rub off on his teammates after a poor display against Gordon.
"We highlighted Sione's effort in our match review on Monday," Colemand said. "It was an example of someone not giving up and working for his teammates. That is the toughness and commitment we want."
The loss to Gordon was the Wildfires' second straight and dropped them to third place on the Shute Shield ladder.
Coleman hopes to have fly-half Connor Winchester and fullback Peta Alofipo (groin) available against the Galloping Greens.
Both face fitness tests on Thursday.
Winchester hasn't played since the 40-20 win over Norths on May 17 after succumbing to bone bruising in his left leg.
"Connor had scans on his leg last week. The bone bruising is healing but is not completely right," Coleman said.
"He did modified training on Tuesday and has pulled up well. If he gets through a full session on Thursday and has no complaints on Friday, he will play.
"We have missed him. His calmness and ability to understand and execute a game plan is exceptional."
Randwick are fresh from a 33-31 win over Warrighah and have a host on NSW Waratahs back on deck.
"Halback Michael McDonald played against Warringah and they are expected to have Lawson Creighton, Triston Reilly and possibly Max Jorgensen back this week," Coleman said.
There's no doubt rugby union star Sione Taufui can inspire his teammates.
The Newcastle Willdfires player had dental surgery on Tuesday after having three teeth knocked out in his team's 31-6 loss.
Incredibly, the centre played on before he was eventually convinced to come from the field by the Wildfires' physiotherapist.
"Sione went into a jackal and got cleaned out," his coach Scott Coleman said. "The Gordon player's shoulder went straight into his face as Sione looked up.
"Sione picked up two of the three teeth - he couldn't find the other one - and played on.
"Initially, he held the teeth in his hand and when the ball went to the other side of the field, he put them in his sock.
"We got a turnover and kicked down field and he was the first chaser down there.
"When he was walking back, our physio noticed the blood around his mouth and went out to treat him.
"When Sione smiled, the physio freaked out and asked where are you teeth? He replied: in my sock.
"The physio had to drag him from the field. He didn't want to be replaced."
Taufui went to hospital where he was cleared of a broken jaw and had two teeth reinserted.
"He had dental surgery on Tuesday and has two more lots of surgery to come," Coleman said. "He wants to play this weekend, but we have ruled him out."
Coleman was confident the courage and commitment Taufui showed would rub off on his teammates after a poor display against Gordon.
"We highlighted Sione's effort in our match review on Monday," Colemand said. "It was an example of someone not giving up and working for his teammates. That is the toughness and commitment we want."
The loss to Gordon was the Wildfires' second straight and dropped them to third place on the Shute Shield ladder.
Coleman hopes to have fly-half Connor Winchester and fullback Peta Alofipo (groin) available against the Galloping Greens.
Both face fitness tests on Thursday.
Winchester hasn't played since the 40-20 win over Norths on May 17 after succumbing to bone bruising in his left leg.
"Connor had scans on his leg last week. The bone bruising is healing but is not completely right," Coleman said.
"He did modified training on Tuesday and has pulled up well. If he gets through a full session on Thursday and has no complaints on Friday, he will play.
"We have missed him. His calmness and ability to understand and execute a game plan is exceptional."
Randwick are fresh from a 33-31 win over Warrighah and have a host on NSW Waratahs back on deck.
"Halback Michael McDonald played against Warringah and they are expected to have Lawson Creighton, Triston Reilly and possibly Max Jorgensen back this week," Coleman said.
There's no doubt rugby union star Sione Taufui can inspire his teammates.
The Newcastle Willdfires player had dental surgery on Tuesday after having three teeth knocked out in his team's 31-6 loss.
Incredibly, the centre played on before he was eventually convinced to come from the field by the Wildfires' physiotherapist.
"Sione went into a jackal and got cleaned out," his coach Scott Coleman said. "The Gordon player's shoulder went straight into his face as Sione looked up.
"Sione picked up two of the three teeth - he couldn't find the other one - and played on.
"Initially, he held the teeth in his hand and when the ball went to the other side of the field, he put them in his sock.
"We got a turnover and kicked down field and he was the first chaser down there.
"When he was walking back, our physio noticed the blood around his mouth and went out to treat him.
"When Sione smiled, the physio freaked out and asked where are you teeth? He replied: in my sock.
"The physio had to drag him from the field. He didn't want to be replaced."
Taufui went to hospital where he was cleared of a broken jaw and had two teeth reinserted.
"He had dental surgery on Tuesday and has two more lots of surgery to come," Coleman said. "He wants to play this weekend, but we have ruled him out."
Coleman was confident the courage and commitment Taufui showed would rub off on his teammates after a poor display against Gordon.
"We highlighted Sione's effort in our match review on Monday," Colemand said. "It was an example of someone not giving up and working for his teammates. That is the toughness and commitment we want."
The loss to Gordon was the Wildfires' second straight and dropped them to third place on the Shute Shield ladder.
Coleman hopes to have fly-half Connor Winchester and fullback Peta Alofipo (groin) available against the Galloping Greens.
Both face fitness tests on Thursday.
Winchester hasn't played since the 40-20 win over Norths on May 17 after succumbing to bone bruising in his left leg.
"Connor had scans on his leg last week. The bone bruising is healing but is not completely right," Coleman said.
"He did modified training on Tuesday and has pulled up well. If he gets through a full session on Thursday and has no complaints on Friday, he will play.
"We have missed him. His calmness and ability to understand and execute a game plan is exceptional."
Randwick are fresh from a 33-31 win over Warrighah and have a host on NSW Waratahs back on deck.
"Halback Michael McDonald played against Warringah and they are expected to have Lawson Creighton, Triston Reilly and possibly Max Jorgensen back this week," Coleman said.