Sam Thaiday says Jason Taumalolo will be the source of plenty of headaches for Brisbane

FIRST they feared Johnathan Thurston. Now the Broncos are bracing to stop a more destructive version of ‘JT’- wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo.

Cowboys Jason Taumalolo is North Queensland’s x-factor in the derby against the Brisbane Broncos.

FIRST they feared Johnathan Thurston. Now the Broncos are bracing to stop a more destructive version of ‘JT’ with wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo rated the Cowboys’ X-factor who can break open the Queensland derby.

Thurston launched his 2014 campaign by terrorising Canberra and the champion Cowboys pivot can wreak further havoc this Friday night by linking with Taumalolo on Brisbane’s right edge.

The Kiwi giant carved up the Green Machine, amassing 226 metres from 19 runs with two line-breaks, and his hulking 110kg frame will take some stopping at Suncorp Stadium.

Broncos forward Sam Thaiday has faced some damaging forwards in his decorated career, but admits he sees something special in the Cowboys back-rower tagged the next Sonny Bill Williams.

“He (Taumalolo) is a rare breed - he’s going to be a fantastic player for many years to come,” Thaiday said.

“He’s got pace, he can run a great line and he’s 100-plus kilos.

“He is a player we will have to contain, he is playing some fantastic footy and with him and ‘Jonno’ (Thurston), we are going to have a big night.”

While the Cowboys are trying to temper the hype surrounding Taumalolo, his ability to run explosive angles at speed gives Thurston another ace in his playmaking repertoire.

Thaiday has played alongside Thurston in the Origin trenches for Queensland and admits the two-time Dally M winner could run amok if the Broncos fail to halt the Cowboys pack.

“He’s the best player in the world and has been the last few years,” he said.

News_Rich_Media: In one ear and out the other. Ben Barba didn't pay any attention to taunts from Canterbury fans in his first game for Brisbane. The former Bulldog starred for the Broncos, as they started 2014 with a win.

“Jonno is one of those players who showed his class (against Canberra) and where he is at the moment, he is such good form, he’s happy off the field.

“He is a guy we will have to watch.

“They have the two Australian front-rowers (Matt Scott and James Tamou) who are coming off good seasons and Jonno will be fantastic rolling off the back of James and big Matty.

“Then they have these big rigs out wide in Tariq Sims and Taumalolo. We have got our hands full, we will have to be defensively good again.”

The Broncos have received a boost with bench forward Martin Kennedy free to play after escaping a charge for a high shot on Bulldogs forward James Graham last Friday night.

Kennedy played under new Cowboys coach Paul Green at the Roosters last season and believes the rookie mentor will bring a ruthless intensity to North Queensland.

“They are looking pretty sharp, he is a take-no-prisoners type of bloke in general so I’m expecting them to be pumped up and ready for a big one,” he said.

“Greeny is a former half and he’s been an assistant at the Roosters. He’s the type of bloke you can’t underestimate, he is a true competitor as he was as a player.

“If there’s any way he can get an advantage, he will exploit it. We have to be ready for them.”