JASON TAUMALOLO WAS A POWER HOUSE FOR NZ KIWIS A glum Cameron Smith reflected on the first defeat of the Kangaroos and the impact of a Kiwis debutant who could have potentially played for Australia in Saturday nights Four Nations doubleheader in Brisbane. Had Queensland State of Origin icon and current coach Mel Meninga been more persuasive when discussing Jason Taumalolos future with the Auckland-born backrower in April 2012, the 21-year-old might have emulated Cowboys team-mate James Tamou by opting for the Kangaroos ahead of his birthplace. Thankfully for the NZRL Taumalolo - who represented Tonga at last years World Cup - was content to bide his time after being named 18th man for the 2012 Anzac test on Eden Park. He also played the curtain-raiser for that years end-of-season trans-Tasman test in Townsville for the Junior Kiwis while form and fitness concerns saw his NRL career lose contention in 2013. Being in a black and white is probably the proudest moment of my career, its one jersey Ill cherish for the rest of my footy days, he said after an eye-catching powerhouse display that yielded 131 metres. Since joining the Cowboys development system in Townsville when he was 13, the damaging ball runner has had his allegiance tested several times. I look back on it as probably the best decision I have ever made, staying solid with the black-and-white. I guess it paid off with Mooks [coach Stephen Kearney] giving me a run. Its been worth the wait, I knew my time would come, I just didnt know when. After being named in the Kiwis train-on squad once the Cowboys were eliminated by the Sydney Roosters in the semifinals, Taumalolo maintained his fitness regime. A lot of boys tend to go on a bit of a holiday after the NRL but when Mooks gave me that phone call I was training every day. I wanted to make the most of the opportunity. I hope I did that. Chosen to start at lock ahead of Greg Eastwood, Taumalolo was used in bursts rather than his usual 80-minute shift at the Cowboys - a reflection of his lack of recent game time and the significance of the occasion. You have to take into account the calibre of player youre up against, the pace of the game, the nerves that he has playing his first test, said Kearney when explaining his rotation policy. Photo: NZ Kiwi & North Queensland Cowboys player Jason Taumalolo
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 22:21:57 +0000
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