Taumalolo out for Knights clash with foot injury Cowboys lose Jase
THERE will be a hole in the middle of the Cowboys pack this weekend in the shape of a 119cm, 117kg bulldozer.
Superstar lock Jason Taumalolo has been ruled out for the clash against Newcastle at Mcdonald Jones Stadium after going down this week with a foot injury.
While details around the severity of the injury remain scarce, it will be the second time this season the Cowboys have been without the 26-year-old wrecking ball through injury.
Taumalolo has been one of the club’s best week in and week out, leading the club for run metres (averaging 191 per game), carries (18.1), tackle breaks (4.1) and offloads (1.5).
Cowboys assistant coach David Fairleigh said the loss of the Tongan international could not be understated.
“That leaves a huge hole in our team, but we just need to have faith and confidence in the guys that come in to do the job. It is very disappointing that he won’t be there,” Fairleigh said.
“I am hoping that (he is back next week), but I have no idea how serious it is. That is one of the things for the medical staff, they have been working overtime on him to get him ready as quick as possible.”
Northern Pride young gun Peter Hola, who made his debut in the Queensland Derby last week, will get a chance to step up to the plate for the Cowboys with a line-up reshuffle expected.
“That is part of your learning and coming into first grade, just getting better each week and getting more minutes each week,” Fairleigh said.
“I thought Pete did a really good job in the short time he had on the field (last week). As the weeks go on he has got to get better, and he will understand the speed of the game and get used to it.
“He is a young player we have got coming through that we are really excited about for the future.”
The Cowboys are also preparing for another late blow to their plans with vice-captain Jordan Mclean under an injury cloud to face the Knights.
Mclean was a late withdrawal from the loss to the Broncos after sustaining a calf injury in the Captain’s Run.
The experienced frontrower will be given every chance to prove his fitness to the club’s medical team with Murray Taulagi travelling to Newcastle as cover.
If Mclean is out it could force a reshuffle with Coen Hess coming out of the centres and into the forward pack, with Taulagi slotting on to the wing and Jordan Kahu moving in one spot.
Fairleigh admitted it was a frustrating time for the club’s coaching staff as they battle to put together a consistent 17man side.
“There is a few things we have got to sort out tomorrow without speculating. I wish I could tell you exactly what the team is going to be but we don’t actually know ourselves. We will find out tomorrow after training,” he said.
“It is frustrating for us (as coaches), but it is particularly frustrating for the players. They want to know what is going on.”