Taumalolo on the clock for a record season
JASON Taumalolo has evolved into North Queensland’s 80minute terminator.
Taumalolo is not just the most damaging forward in the NRL, he is now wreaking havoc for longer each week.
The Dally M medallist is averaging a stunning 72 minutes a game this year.
He played all 80 minutes of the Cowboys’ shock loss to Wests Tigers last Saturday, registering 23 runs for 265m.
Taumalolo, 23, is running for an average of 250m a game this season, more than any other player in the NRL, and has busted 24 tackles.
Raiders winger Jordan Rapana has the next best output with 179m a week.
Cowboys coach Paul Green has helped the New Zealand international with his repeat efforts and Taumalolo is reaping the rewards of his improved fitness.
According to Fox Sports Lab, it was the 13th time in his eight-season career he has played an entire match, but 80minute efforts are now likely to occur more often.
“That’s the first time in a while,” Taumalolo said.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever noticed (playing 80 minutes).
“It was a tiring effort, but we didn’t get the job done. I was pretty disappointed.”
The Cowboys will be looking for another damaging performance from Taumalolo in Wollongong tonight against the in-form Dragons.
St George Illawarra have lost just one game this season and host a Cowboys team missing a number of their walk-up starters, including four-time Dally M winner Johnathan Thurston.
Green will throw a selection curveball in thrusting 108kg prop John Asiata into halfback, despite naming utility Ben Hampton in the No.7 jersey.
“With Johnno being out, it’s a big opportunity for Morgs (Michael Morgan) and John Asiata in the halves,” centre Justin O’Neill said.
“If they can step up and really control the team and bark their orders and steer us around the footy field it’s going to go a long way to us being able to score some points.”
O’Neill will return from a three-week lay-off due to a hamstring injury and has three matches to present his case for a Kangaroos call-up for the mid-season Test.
Morgan’s patchy form has likely cost the Cowboys pivot any hope of being Australia’s Plan B to replace Thurston for the Anzac Test against New Zealand.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has given the strongest indication yet Morgan will be overlooked for the crucial No.6 jumper if the injured Thurston fails in his bid to face the Kiwis.
Thurston, sidelined for two to three weeks with a calf problem, is racing the clock to be fit for the Test in Canberra.
Morgan and Sharks pivot James Maloney are the frontline contenders to fill the fiveeighth void against New Zealand.
Meninga is hopeful Thurston will be available but suggested the in-form Maloney is on standby after Morgan’s inconsistent form in the opening six rounds.
“Both of those guys (Morgan and Maloney) are in the picture,” Meninga said.