Taumalolo aiming for happier ending to this derby
COWBOYS wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo is determined to bury the demons of his last Queensland derby when they host the Broncos at 1300SMILES Stadium tomorrow night.
Taumalolo endured a frustrating trip to Brisbane back in Round 2 after suffering a Grade 3 medial ligament strain when his right knee was caught awkwardly in a tackle early in the 29-10 defeat.
The hulking lock played on with heavy strapping for more than 20 minutes before he was forced from the field just before halftime, managing only 43m from his seven carries and zero tackle busts.
Taumalolo missed the next five games, but he has been unstoppable since returning to action and leads the NRL for run metres this season with 193 per game, according to Fox
Sports Stats.
The 26-year-old said he was ready to punch out big minutes through the middle tomorrow night in what will be the Cowboys’ last clash with the Broncos at 1300SMILES Stadium.
“Sitting out watching for an extended period of time was a bit painful,” Taumalolo said.
“Just the way I finished that game against the Broncos was pretty disappointing in itself, so I’m definitely looking forward to going out there and playing the best footy I can.
“The more I’m on the field the more I enjoy it. I try my best every time I’m on the field to change momentum.
“Obviously I have no power in how long I play, but when I do play I try and make a difference. Fingers crossed I’m out for a while on Thursday night.”
Taumalolo’s injury meant the Cowboys had no answer for young Broncos enforcer Tevita Pangai Jr, who bullied the visitors with 106m, five tackle breaks, a line break, and a try.
Pangai Jr also crunched Taumalolo in several stinging tackles and the Cowboys star was keen to get one back on his Tongan teammate.
“He put me on show that night. When Tevita plays the way he does he definitely puts everyone on notice in the NRL,” Taumalolo said.