TAULAGI READY TO STAKE CLAIM

PLAGUED by injury early in his career, it has not been an easy road for Murray Taulagi.

But he’s ready to put that stretch of tarmac far in the rear view mirror.

The 20-year-old winger is ready to put his foot down, as he aims to cement a spot in Paul Green’s starting 13.

It won’t be an easy task though, made harder by off-season surgery and another recent injury setback. The return to the field of veteran outside back Justin O’neill has also thrown a spanner in the works.

But Taulagi has turned to right man for guidance. the

The former Junior Kangaroo, who turns 21 on the eve of the season, has worked side-by-side with Cowboys grand final hero Kyle Feldt.

Feldt also had his career almost derailed by an untimely knee injury after dominating the national under-20s for the Cowboys in 2011.

But his grit and determination was key to his rise to the top. It is something Taulagi hopes he can learn from the veteran.

“It’s great having (Feldt) here. He is probably one of the best, if not the best winger out there,” he said.

“I am taking a lot of tips from him. I try to listen to him and work on things he sees in my game that I need (to fix). We play in same position so we do spend a lot of time together at training.

“He tried to help me out a lot last year. He is always around and someone who I can talk to when I need.”

Taulagi made his NRL debut against Penrith in Round 18 last season, before going on to play six games at the back end of the season.

While he finished the year off on the wing for the Cowboys with a try in their final game against Melbourne, the young winger does not think it’s his spot to lose heading into 2020.

With Ben Hampton pushing his case for selection in the backs, and recent recruit Connelly Lemuelu impressing in the trial against the Broncos, there is a lot of pressure on the young flyer.

“I feel like I am in the mix but I definitely have competition,” he said.

“I think it makes our squad better, and it makes me better.

“It is hard to say it was my spot to lose because I was injured at the start of pre-season. I couldn’t work on what I had built in my last couple of games.

“As the boys came back it was hard just cause I was stuck on the sidelines watching on. It was pretty s--t to be honest.”

Taulagi missed the Cowboys final trial against Melbourne after copping a blow to his knee in Cairns.