Taumalolo lacks confidence
JASON Taumalolo has rejected suggestions he has become complacent on the back of a $10 million mega deal, insisting he has not forgotten how to be the NRL’s most damaging forward.
Statistics obtained by News Corp paint a bleak picture of Taumalolo’s form this season, showing the North Queensland Cowboys weapon’s output is down 20 per cent.
In 2017, Taumalolo averaged an incredible 194m every week as he carried the Cowboys to a fairytale grand final appearance. He is averaging a respectable 156m this season but has struggled to maintain the lofty standards he has set over the past two years.
The 24-year-old clinched an unprecedented 10-year contract extension last season which will keep him at North Queensland until 2027.
The Tongan powerhouse produced his best performance of the season in last Saturday’s loss to Canterbury and said he had not dropped off because he will never have to play for another contract in his career.
“That deal definitely hasn’t got me comfortable at all,” he said. “If anything it’s making me work harder to become a better player.
“Over the last few weeks I’ve been losing confidence with the way I play.”
The Cowboys are on a fivematch losing streak heading into tomorrow night’s clash against the Gold Coast Titans at 1300SMILES Stadium.
Taumalolo said the entire team was down on confidence.
“I haven’t been the best of late but as a team that’s how everyone is at the moment,” he said.