Jason Taumalolo fired up for clash with George Burgess-led Rabbitohs’ pack

JASON Taumalolo has warned Souths’ monster pack to brace for fireworks as the Cowboys forwards look to prove their premiership muscle.

NRL game - Cowboys v Storm

JASON Taumalolo has warned Souths’ monster pack to brace for fireworks as the Cowboys forwards look to prove their premiership muscle in Sydney on Monday night.

Test forward Taumalolo revealed the Cowboys’ back-to-back wins against Melbourne and Penrith were inspired by a challenge from coach Paul Green for his forwards to lift their intensity.

Now North Queensland’s front six face one of the most imposing forward assignments in the NRL, a showdown with a premiership-winning pack led by gigantic George Burgess.

The 120kg prop was cleared of a dangerous contact charge by the NRL judiciary and will spearhead a Rabbitohs pack containing his brother Tom, Maroons utility Chris McQueen and rugged prop Dave Tyrrell.

The Cowboys have no shortage of bulk in Taumalolo, Matt Scott, James Tamou and Ben Hannant, and the Kiwis back-rower is relishing the prospect of toppling the premiers.

“They are the benchmark of the competition, so we will go out and prove a point that we have one of the best forward packs in the game,” Taumalolo said.

“Personally it will be a good challenge. They have a great forward pack, after our last two games it will be a good opportunity for us and hopefully we can come away with the win.

Jason Taumalolo has hit his straps for the Cowboys.

“There’s no real secret (to the Cowboys’ turnaround). We have been running harder and tackling better. That has been Greeny’s call the last two weeks and we’ve aimed up as a forward pack.

“With big George (Burgess) out there, they will try to make their mark.

“Without him, I don’t think they have much go-forward unless they also have Tom Burgess. I can’t tell which one is which, but George (playing) is a huge boost for Souths and the boys will be looking to shut him down.’’

While the Burgess boys are formidable enough, Taumalolo will also have one eye on his good mate Chris Grevsmuhl.

The Townsville-born 22-year-old quit the Cowboys at the end of 2013 and has found his niche at Souths, winning his NRL debut last month after impressing with his energy off interchange.

“Me and Chris go way back to the under-15s, we became best mates and we have a brotherly type of thing,” Taumalolo said.

“Seeing him come through the under-20s system to play first grade is a huge effort. This is the first time I’ve played him in Souths colours so it will be good to get one up against him.’’

Cowboys pivot Michael Morgan said he was not concerned by Greg Inglis’ possible shift to five-eighth, nor he is perturbed by his side’s poor record at ANZ Stadium.

The Cowboys have won only six of 20 games at Homebush since 2000, but stunned the Rabbitohs 22-10 in their most recent meeting at the ground last August.

“It would be a challenge (opposing Inglis), but in saying that it might take away how strong he is on kick returns (at fullback),’’ Morgan said.

“There was a lot of talk about not winning away from home, but we haven’t spoken about that this year.

“We’ll be comfortable going down there this week.’’

Originally published as Jason Taumalolo fired up for clash with George Burgess-led Rabbitohs’ pack