Panther 535
39 matches [2014-2016]
12 points [3 tries]
Stats: themightypanthers.com/players_taylor-elijah.htm
New Zealand born forward who had debuted for the Warriors in 2011. After three seasons and 67 matches for the Auckland based club, as well as 10 Test appearances for the Kiwis, he crossed the Tasman to join the Panthers for the 2014 season.
As a starting second rower and occasionally at lock, Taylor would make 17 appearances in his first year at Penrith. It would be an injury disrupted season, which prevented him from retaining his spot for the Kiwis in the ANZAC Test, but would later return only for his season to come to a premature end in early August with a knee injury.
The hard working forward (who would average 50 tackles a match) would return for the opening round in 2015, but once again miss his opportunity to represent New Zealand yet again through injury. One of the reasons for his recruitment was his leadership skills, and these were put to use when he was appointed captain for 3 of his 20 appearances that season. There would unfortunately be another early finish to his season, this time through a hand injury.
Heading into 2016, he was touted as a future permanent captain, but instead found himself out of favour with new coach Anthony Griffin. After only two appearances, he was successfully granted a release to the Wests Tigers, where he has made over 70 appearances to the end of the 2020 season. In 2021 he signed for Salford in the Super League, and in 2023 has signed for Featherstone in the second tier championship.
Last updated 22 November 2022
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