11 March 2023 , 09:54
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Catalans star Manu Ma’u dedicated his two-try match-winning display against Wigan to his late father.
The ex-Tonga second-row, 34, picked up his first scores for his new club in Friday’s 18-10 win at the Challenge Cup holders. It was his first game back since returning to his native New Zealand following the death of his dad. Ma’u conceded: “It was nice to get off the mark. It was a special one for me and I dedicated that performance to my father.
“It has been tough. It was good to go home and refuel, see the family, keep grounded and then come back and play with the boys again. It was awesome. It was good to get the win.”
Given he turns 35 in the summer, some eyebrows were raised when Catalans signed Ma’u from Hull on a two-year deal in the off-season. But the powerful ex-Parramatta forward, who only scored six tries across three seasons at Hull, has quickly shown why Steve McNamara was so keen to recruit him. Nicknamed The Tongan Terminator for his destructive style, Ma’u added: “It’s been refreshing. I think it’s a move I needed.
“My family are really enjoying it in France and it makes it easier to go to train and perform. And I definitely don’t miss this snow! It was a gutsy win for us at Wigan. We knew coming here to play would always be tough. They’re a quality team and we spoke in the week about what we had to do to get it.”
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Unbeaten Catalans have won all four games so far ahead of hosting Hull KR next Saturday, hinting at their potential title pedigree. Ma’u, who also won six caps for the Kiwis before representing Tonga, warned: “It’s still early days. We’re barely scratching the surface and there’s plenty more work to do. But there’s exciting times ahead.”