Cowboys say forward Jason Taumalolo ready to step up for New Zealand

COWBOYS players are unanimous that New Zealand must select devastating forward Jason Taumalolo for next month’s Test.

Cowboys teammates say Jason Taumalolo is ready for the international game.

COWBOYS players are unanimous that New Zealand must select devastating forward Jason Taumalolo for next month’s Test.

Kiwis selectors are scheduled to meet in the next week to discuss the make up of their squad for the traditional Anzac clash against Australia, with the backrower’s impressive start to the NRL campaign sure to be a hot topic.

Long in the sights of New Zealand, Taumalolo’s youth has ultimately worked against him getting a dream call up.

KEARNEY NOT INTERESTED IN WARRIORS JOB

RICHARDS READY TO TAME COWBOYS

News_Image_File: Jason Taumalolo, 20, could be set to represent New Zealand.

But after his World Cup experience representing Tonga last year, and the way he has handled a higher workload at club level in 2014, the 20-year-old’s North Queensland teammates believe he is ready to don the black and white.

“All the boys were just talking about that and we think he can,” Cowboy and Australia prop James Tamou said.

“He’s been a real powerhouse playing outside of Johnno (five-eighth Thurston), so we really think he’s up to it. It’s also (important) for him to get that (Kiwi) experience, and I think New Zealand will be looking for that, because they would want him there for a long time.”

News_Image_File: Taumalolo represented Tonga at the last World Cup.

There is no doubt Taumalolo has taken his game to another level.

After the Auckland-born young gun had been in and out of first grade over the past two years, coach Paul Green has showed faith by not only consistently selecting him, but transforming him into an 80-minute player.

Taumalolo played every minute of the opening four rounds, averaging 137m and 24 tackles. He was restricted to 47 minutes in Monday night’s 26-point win over Newcastle after injuring his shoulder while attempting an athletic put down.

The 191cm, 112kg forward was expected to be right to take on the Wests Tigers on Saturday.

Tamou said Green’s belief in Taumalolo had been a key to his long-touted potential being finally fully unleashed.

News_Rich_Media: North Queensland coach Paul Green has praised Michael Morgan who continues to impress in his new role as fullback.

“He is a big, strong man, but in his mind he’s still only young ... so with Greenie coming in and talking to Jason, having one-on-ones with him, it’s really helped him,” he said.

Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney did not want to be drawn into players’ individual selection chances, but admitted Taumalolo was on his radar.

“I’ve spoken to Jason and if he’s playing good enough football, we will certainly consider him,” he said.

Kearney was also not fazed by Taumalolo having represented another nation at the World Cup.

“There’s a number of them in that category and, from our point of view, that’s always been the case after every World Cup,” he said.

Tamou said the only issue if Taumalolo was picked was the likelihood of having to come up against him.

“One of the main reasons I re-signed with the Cowboys (last year) was because of all the young ones we have here, like Jason and Tariq (Sims). I would hate to have to go against them.”