THE “outstanding” Joe Taufete’e has been hailed for his work-rate by Worcester Warriors director of rugby Gary Gold.

The USA international hooker was nerveless in his first Aviva Premiership start for the club against relegation rivals Bristol.

The 24-year-old played the full 80 minutes in Warriors’ 41-24 win after Niall Annett had failed to recover from a head injury.

Annett was withdrawn from the line-up and Taufete’e stepped up to start.

With Jaba Bregvadze on international duty with Georgia, Matti Williams, with just four minutes of Premiership action under his belt this term, was on the bench.

Taufete’e arrived at Sixways in December on a short-term deal until the end of the season and has been hugely impressive in his five appearances.

He grabbed his maiden try against Harlequins in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in January and his physical strength has caused opposition teams problems.

“Joe was outstanding (against Bristol),” said Gold.

“He carried and tackled well and his set-piece was very good. He threw really well and I am encouraged by it.

“The whole squad are buying into it. If we get a setback then Joe steps up and Matti comes on to the bench.

“We thought that Niall may not make it because of the concussion protocols so we prepared quite well but Joe was outstanding.”

Gold also praised the work of Paddy Anson, the head of strength and conditioning, who replaced Chris Hart earlier this year.

Anson has previously worked at Warriors for a season but was more recently involved with Gloucester and Exeter Chiefs.

Warriors’ intensity at the tackle area was noticeable against Bristol but Gold accepted the increased physicality of the players wasn’t down to him.

“Paddy came in before I did and the club made a conscious decision to work from a strength and conditioning point of view,” said Gold.

The Warriors chief was delighted by the impact of Welshman Josh Adams, who switched from full-back to the wing, so the hosts could accommodate Chris Pennell.

Pennell was taken off in the second half against Bristol after only returning the previous week at Northampton Saints after two months out with a heel injury.

The former England full-back will be needed when Warriors travel to Coventry to face Midlands rivals Wasps on March 26.

“I am really happy with Josh’s progress,” said Gold. “For a big game we wanted a quality player like Chris to start but he was finding it tough and I wanted to manage the squad properly.”