Cowboy worth the cash

CONSISTENCY is pivotal to building a successful NRL Supercoach team and there are few players more reliable than superstar Cowboys forward Jason Taumalolo.

Taumalolo doesn’t come cheap with his $657,400 price tag – which makes him the fifth most expensive player but the hulking forward is worth every cent. The 25-year-old ( pictured) has become the most damaging forward in the game and a Supercoach behemoth as he averages more than 70 points over the past three seasons.

Taumalolo punches out big minutes in the middle with around 60 minutes per game and that translates to SuperCoach stardom as he averaged 54.6 from tackles and hit-ups alone in 2018.

That consistency is his biggest selling point as Taumalolo produced a lowest score of 42 – still respectable for a forward – along with three returns of more than 100 last season.

Offloads have always been an aspect of Taumalolo’s game that has been lacking, averaging just one per game, but he has expressed his desire to throw the ball around more in 2019. That should lead to a few Try Contributions – a new Supercoach stat with four points now awarded to players involved in a try-scoring play rather than the old last-touch try assist.

Josh Mcguire’s arrival in Townsville could change Taumalolo’s role given both players usually wear the No. 13 jersey, but it would allow Cowboys coach Paul Green to use Taumalolo on an edge.

Taumalolo would thrive in a roaming role as he targets the smaller men in the defensive line, which would also gener- ate a greater Supercoach return with more tackle busts and tries.

He is also a Tongan international, which means he won’t miss Cowboys games through representative duties unlike the top-ranked backrower Jake Trbojevic ($667,600, 71.3 PPG).

Taumalolo has publicly admitted he was unhappy with his performances last season as the Cowboys bombed out of finals contention, but he said he felt refreshed and ready for a big 2019 campaign.

“It’s good to get a decent break for once and refresh the body a bit and definitely my mind,” Taumalolo said recently.

“I’ve come back willing to train and I’ve done a bit of work this off-season and preseason and now I’m looking forward to playing again.

“Last year was definitely one of my worst years playing NRL and obviously the boys would love to make up for that.”

Forwards are always the backbone of a Supercoach team so it’s worth splurging on Taumalolo.