Cowboy’s stunning return to top form
RIKKI-LEE ARNOLD COWBOYS sensation Jason Taumalolo has revealed how the club’s poor start to the season had him questioning his own ability.
The Tongan international showed why he is still the best forward in the game on Thursday night, after his inspirational performance led to an upset 26-12 win for the Cowboys over the Sea Eagles.
It was the kind of performance fans and critics alike have come to expect from Taumalolo, but his efforts still stunned the rugby league world as he ran for 268m, and made 12 tackle busts, five offloads and 25 tackles.
The show of strength from the 2016 Dally M winner was exactly what the Cowboys needed so they could notch up their fourth win of the year.
That was the main motivation for Taumalolo.
He knows the Cowboys’ chances to make the top eight are limited heading into the back end of the season.
But he also revealed how he had struggled in recent weeks, as the Cowboys sunk to nine losses in their opening 12 rounds and he copped a fair share of the criticism.
“After about three or four losses, you start to doubt yourself,” he said.
“You start questioning why you’re still playing. That was a bit of a rough period for myself.
“I’ve slowly got myself out of that slump … I’ve been trying not to doubt myself.
“We’ve had a fair bit of a rough patch this year. We’re desperate to try to get back into the eight.”
Thursday’s stunning return to top form should be exactly what Taumalolo needed.
Coach Paul Green said last month he had been waiting for a game to spark the winning run the Cowboys desperately needed.
The side will be hopeful that their surprise victory over Manly will be the turning point they desire, as they turn their attention to Parramatta in Darwin next Saturday.
Taumalolo said his confidence was growing each week and he hoped his attitude could have a domino effect on the rest of the playing group.
“I’m just trying to find myself … not only to better myself, but to better everyone else around me, too,” he said.
“If I can do that, it will help the next person and they can do the same for the next person beside them.
“As long as that culture is still happening and guys are still believing in each other, that’s all that matters.”