Taumalolo fires back

JASON Taumalolo says Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has only heaped pressure on himself by talking up their looming heavyweight confrontation in Saturday’s preliminary final.

Waerea-Hargreaves set the tone this week by singling out North Queensland powerhouse Taumalolo as the man standing between his Sydney Roosters and a shot at the title.

Taumalolo refused to take a step back yesterday, welcoming the opportunity to take on his New Zealand compatriot.

“I hope for Jared’s sake that he comes out and does it,” Taumalolo said.