Cowboys wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo to take heat off Johnathan Thurston

THE growing belief in Jason Taumalolo’s ability to deliver in 2014 will see him handed one of the greatest responsibilities in the game.

THE growing belief in Jason Taumalolo’s ability to deliver in 2014 will see him handed one of the greatest responsibilities in the game.

While the baby-faced wrecking ball is known more as an National Rrugby League destroyer, coach Paul Green is set to make him superstar Johnathan Thurston’s protector when the Cowboys kick-off their season against Canberra on Saturday.

Green has even split up Thurston’s longstanding left-edge partnership with Gavin Cooper to make it happen.

Cooper has played the bulk of the pre-season on the right, alongside halfback Robert Lui.

It’s a crucial role, tasked with taking the defensive burden off Thurston as rivals target him in effort to tire him out for attack.

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Jason Taumalolo of the Cowboys celebrates a try. Pic Darren England.

Green is still deciding whether to start Taumalolo or Tariq Sims at 1300SMILES Stadium, but the Tonga World Cup representative’s 72-minute stint — the longest amount of single-game time in his career — in the final trial could indicate the scales are tipped in his favour.

Cooper backed Taumalolo’s ability to be more than the bench impact player he has been for the bulk of his NRL career.

“I think that’s what Greenie’s looking for out of the lot of us actually,’’ he said.

“He’s put a bit of emphasis on being out there and not messing up combinations.

“Jase has spent a lot of time on that side and even Tariq as well. We’ve been chopping and changing, but I’ve been predominantly on the right, so we’ll wait and see what happens on Saturday night.’’

Jason Taumalolo of the Cowboys. Pic Darren England.

The move would demonstrate Green’s growing belief in Taumalolo’s defensive capabilities — an area that has been criticised in the past.

It would also allow the 191cm and 112kg of Taumalolo to build a devastating attacking partnership with five-eighth Thurston.

If his rampaging trial form was any indication, the 20-year-old New Zealander is primed for a destructive 2014.

“Johnno’s job now is to get Jase a lot of ball because everyone knows what he can do with the ball,’’ Cooper said.

``I think everyone will see that and have fun watching it on Saturday night.’’

Jason Taumalolo of the Cowboys charges forward during the Auckland NRL Nines.

As exciting as the prospect is, it is a change that breaks up a left edge partnership that’s been very good for the Cowboys over the years.

Cooper acknowledged it had taken some adjustment, but didn’t write off the chances of the old combination reuniting at times.

“That’s where I have played for as a long as I can remember (on the left),’’ he said.

“But I have chopped and changed, even when I was in the centres I was on the right, so it’s not too different. It’s more getting used to the way that Robbie plays after being used to the way JT plays for so long, but I’ve worked well with Robbie so far.

“With the way JT moves around, though, I wouldn’t be surprised if I still get a lot of ball from him anyway.’’