WE BELIEVE CARRYING A LOAD COMES LOT EASIER TAUMALOLO TAKES ON LEADERSHIP ROLE
COWBOYS coach Paul Green must have thought all his Christmases had come at once.
In March this year, Jason Taumalolo’s management approached the Cowboys and put forward an offer they couldn’t refuse – “you can sign him for 10 years”.
It came with obvious risk. But with every passing week, the longest deal in NRL history is looking more and more like the shrewdest decision the game has seen.
Taumalolo delivered one of the greatest individual tries by a Cowboys player in Sunday’s dramatic 15- 14 extra time finals win over Cronulla.
He put his team on his back when it counted in the second half. He put four Sharks on his back as well when he dragged them over the line to score an inspirational try that gave the Cowboys hope.
Many feared the Dally M medallist may fall into a comfort zone after signing such a long contract.
Instead, he’s relished the extra responsibility and pressure which comes with it.
“I think it was more of a turning point for myself,” Taumalolo said of the Cowboys trailing 8- 2 at the break.
“Did I want this to be my last game of footy for the year with the Cowboys or not? I went out there and gave it a red hot crack and we got the win.”
Senior Cowboys players will tell you Taumalolo has found a bigger voice on the field and in team meetings this year, especially with co- captains Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott out injured.
The man himself insists he prefers to inspire his teammates with deeds, not words.
“I wouldn’t say I’m much of a leader, I leave that to Coops ( stand- in captain Gavin Cooper), Morgo ( Michael Morgan) and Scott Bolton,” he said.
“But I’m more than happy to enforce myself ( on a game). I don’t really like talking too much before games – I’d rather be out there doing it.”
Taumalolo was adamant he grounded the ball for his try, with the Bunker analysing the play several times before upholding the referee’s call.
“I was confident. It obviously didn’t help having five big bodies around me, but I was fortunate no one was under the ball,” he said.
It’s highly conceivable that Taumalolo could put himself in the conversation as one of the best forwards the game has seen before he retires.
“I’m not going to put any unreal expectations on him that people already have,” Cooper said.
“When he was young people were calling him the next Sonny Bill, even though he plays nothing like him. He’s finally relished the contest that comes with being him. As a team, we can be smarter around how other teams plan for him.
“His voice has really grown. He’s done some work with our leadership group this year.
“With other ( senior) guys being out, it’s made other guys step up.”
Prop Scott Bolton appreciates the work Taumalolo does more than anyone. He still gets flabbergasted by the 24- yearold’s will to compete.
“A couple of times you think he’s gone and all of a sudden he’s got the ball in his hands and just seems to find that extra bit of energy,” Bolton said. “What he did ( on Sunday) was unbelievable.”