TAUMALOLO STEPS UP FOR COWBOYS
RUGBY LEAGUE: After inspiring Tonga to a historic win over Australia in November, Jason Taumalolo is prepared to now help carry the Cowboys to success in 2020.
With experienced campaigners Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Scott Bolton and Kane Linnett no longer in North Queensland colours, Taumalolo finds himself as a senior member of the roster and the hulking lock said it’s a challenge he’s ready to embrace.
“We’ve lost a lot of experience over the last few years,” Taumalolo said yesterday.
“It’s hard to consider myself an old head at this club but for myself I guess not much has changed, I like to do a lot of leading on the field and Morgo (Michael Morgan) does that a lot on the field and off the field.
“We’ve still got Coops (Gavin Cooper) there guiding not just myself and Morgs but everyone.”
Taumalolo said there was a notable difference in the club’s current off-season in comparison to previous ones. It’s a proactive approach which he hopes lifts the Cowboys back into finals football.
“A lot of things have changed in-house, from recovery protocols to prepping for training,” he said. “A lot of mindset things, mental things, we’ve been doing off the paddock, so I guess the focus is for everyone to get themselves right.”
The Cowboys will open their NRL season against the Broncos on March 13 but before then Taumalolo is keen to take part in the NRL Nines tournament, to be played in Perth from February 14-15.
“I’d love to play in the nines but obviously Greeny (coach Paul Green) has a big decision,” he said. “I guess the biggest risk is injury.”