Soakai Tai's is the type of player who prefers lifting pianos rather than pre-season running, which is why winning a national award was the perfect build up to what could be his final Queanbeyan Whites season.
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The back-row enforcer and two-time MacDougall Medal winner admits he's nearing the end of his career as he prepares to start his 12th John I Dent Cup campaign.
Tai was named the Allied Pickfords removalist of the year, recognised as the best in Australia and New Zealand at a function in Melbourne two weeks ago.
The Queanbeyan workhorse has carved out a successful career playing for the Whites and Royals since moving from Tonga to Canberra in 2008, being named the compteition's best in his debut season and 2011.
The big flanker has played for the Canberra Vikings and was previously on the ACT Brumbies radar, but now he's ready to throw himself into another first grade campaign.
"Hopefully we have a great season as it’s nearing my last. I’m thinking this could be the year for Queanbeyan," Tai said.
"I love being a removalist because it keeps me fit for rugby. It’s like hitting the gym every day with some days working over 12 hours.
"My work have been great as well when I have picked up an injury during a weekends game, they always helped me out with lighter duties."
The John I Dent Cup season will start on the weekend when the Whites play Royals at Campese Field and defending champions the Tuggeranong Vikings clash against the Gungahlin Eagles at Viking Park.
Easts, the Uni-Norths Owls and Wests all have a bye because the ACT government has closed Canberra sports grounds to prepare them for winter codes.
Queanbeyan is trying to force its way back into the finals this year after a disappointing season in 2018, but the early challenge will be overcoming injuries to young guns Will Goddard and Brendan Jimenez.
Former captain Dan Penca and playmaker Billy Chalker have retired, while OJ Noa has gone to Spain. It makes coach Paul Dillon's job harder, but he's backing a new generation of players to rise to the task.
There will be 11 Brumbies playing in game between Gungahlin and Tuggeranong, with Jordan Jackson-Hope leading a group of young stars trying to earn Super Rugby game time.
Gungahlin has added former Wallabies and ACT Brumbies hooker Marco Caputo as coach and the Eagles also boast rising Canberra juniors Mack Hansen and Tom Ross.
"Tuggeranong will be stacked this week, which will be good. It's an opportunity for us to show what we're about. You want to play the champion team fully loaded, it's a chance to get excited about that. We can go into their backyard and see what we're about this year," Caputo said.
JOHN I DENT CUP ROUND ONE
Saturday: Tuggeranong Vikings v Gungahlin Eagles at Viking Park, Queanbeyan Whites v Royals at Campese Field. Both games at 3.05pm.
