TAUMALOLO URGED TO FIND HAPPINESS ON FOOTY FIELD
COWBOYS legend Matt Scott has urged Jason Taumalolo to find happiness on the field again, as North Queensland’s under-fire co-captain vowed to finish his career in Townsville.
Taumalolo’s future in the North has come under the spotlight after Fox League commentator Corey Parker urged North Queensland to cut ties with the Dally M Medal-winning superstar.
Taumalolo, 28, is coming off the toughest season of his 12year NRL career after suffering a glut of injuries, as the Cowboys fell to a 15th-placed finish in 2021.
His 2022 campaign has already hit a hurdle after Taumalolo was ruled out of Saturday’s final trial game against the Broncos in Mackay due to a hamstring injury.
In the fifth season of a record $10m, 10-year contract, Taumalolo’s future at the Cowboys has come under question, but the Tongan international said he wanted to see out his playing days in Townsville.
“I’m still happy at the Cowboys,” he said.
“In a perfect world, I would like to finish my playing career here in North Queensland.
“I have enjoyed every bit of it, the lows, the highs, winning the premiership (2015) and even through these tough years, I have enjoyed it all.
“I love the Cowboys and my aim is to finish as a one-club man and stay here in Townsville.
“It wasn’t so long ago that I walked in and I was the youngest one at the club and now I am one of the senior players. Time does fly past and I’m still happy.
“I never take for granted what I do. I try and play every game like it’s my last, and to be doing what I love as my job, not many people can say that.
“Every time I am out here I’m enjoying it and when I put on the Cowboys jersey, I don’t get complacent.
“We’ve been through some ups and downs over the last few years, but I’m determined to make us successful again and have us playing finals football.”
After being restricted to only 15 games last season, Cowboys coach Todd Payten has eased the pressure on Taumalolo by appointing Cronulla recruit Chad Townsend as co-captain.
There is no doubt Taumalolo is still one of the NRL’S most devastating forwards and capable of rediscovering the form that catapulted him to the 2016 Dally M Medal.
But for that to happen, the 211game stalwart has to find enjoyment in the game again, according to former teammate and 268-game Cowboys great Scott.
“I’d just like to see him enjoy his footy again, that’s the biggest thing for Jase,” said Scott, a leadership consultant at the Cowboys.
“He got hit all at once with multiple injuries and the added responsibility of captaincy on his shoulders.
“It was no doubt a very tough year for Jase, but he is all the better for it.
“I’d like to see him with a smile on his face again on the field. There is no one at the club that has a bigger impact on the game than him when he’s enjoying his footy and playing well.”
Taumalolo has had to deal with rumours about a rift with Payten since the coach was critical of his best player following North Queensland’s first-round loss to Penrith last year.
Taumalolo insists he has no issues with Payten and he will be ready to make amends for four straight bottom-four finishes when the Cowboys launch their 2022 NRL premiership campaign against the Bulldogs in Townsville on March 13.
“I felt I let the club down last year,” Taumalolo said.
“It was probably the toughest year I’ve had to endure.
“Being a senior player, you do hold more responsibility and I hold myself to the highest standards.
“I do feel the last few years when we haven’t made the finals, I haven’t been at my best. We have some great talent coming through and I believe they can get the Cowboys back into the finals again, but for them to do that, I need to lead the way. I want to get the Cowboys out of the slumps.
“I know we have a lot of work ahead of us, but I believe we’re in a better place than 12 months ago.”