Jason Taumalolo’s Remarkable NRL Season
Jason Taumalolo is delivering performances that are far beyond what he achieved during his 2015 premiership season, showcasing an impressive start to the current NRL campaign. The 32-year-old lock has been a standout for the North Queensland Cowboys, and his efforts have played a crucial role in the team’s recent success.
In a recent match against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium, Taumalolo was named the Carl Webb Medal winner as man of the match in the Cowboys’ 35-31 victory. His performance was nothing short of spectacular, and it highlights why the Cowboys have managed to win four consecutive games. Currently, they sit just two competition points behind the top of the table, Penrith.
Taumalolo’s stats this season are particularly impressive. He averages 170 meters per match and an incredible 74 meters post-contact each game. In comparison, during his 2015 season, when he was a 21-year-old powerhouse, he averaged 154 meters and 67.3 meters for those same metrics.
While the numbers speak volumes about his performance, there is more to Taumalolo’s impact on the field than just statistics. As the spiritual leader of the team, when he is in full flow, he inspires his teammates and lifts the entire side.
“It’s just comes down to being healthy again,” Taumalolo explained. “The last three or four years, I’ve been injury-plagued. I knew that if I had a (knee) cleanout last year coming into this year, I could give it a red-hot crack again and get back to close to (my best).”
He continued, “I am believing in myself and it’s worked out. The medical team for the Cowboys have been unreal and helped me get back to where I’m at.”
Team Support and New Additions
During the Cowboys’ best years, Taumalolo had strong support from players like Matt Scott and Jordan McLean. Now, he credits new additions such as Thomas Mikaele, Coen Hess, Griffin Neame, and Matt Lodge for contributing significantly to the team’s performance.
“They’ve been really great,” Taumalolo said. “In the last few years we’ve lacked having bigger bodies around the middle.”
The Broncos’ pack, led by Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan, presented a formidable challenge, but the Cowboys rose to the occasion. Taumalolo highlighted the contributions of his teammates, stating:
“Tommy, Coen, Lodgie and Griff really stood up and they never took a backward step against what I consider to be the best one-two punch in the middle for the Broncos.”
A Stellar Performance
In the win over the Broncos, Taumalolo played for 48 potent minutes, recording 18 runs for 238 meters, 85 meters post-contact, two offloads, and 16 tackles. This performance was reminiscent of the style of Carl Webb, who played for both Brisbane and North Queensland.
“I’ve played alongside Carl Webb and to have a medal with his name on it is appropriate, just with how tough he was as a character,” Taumalolo said. “To be able to win it is pretty special.”
