North Queensland Cowboys set to offer Jason Taumalolo $1m to fend off rivals’ interest

THE Cowboys are facing a battle to retain Jason Taumalolo with the Kiwi giant becoming the most sought-after forward in the NRL.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 25: Jason Taumalolo of New Zealand takes on the defence during the Four Nations Rugby League match between the Australian Kangaroos and New Zealand Kiwis at Suncorp Stadium on October 25, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

THE Cowboys are facing a battle to retain Jason Taumalolo with the Kiwi giant to test his value on the open market after becoming the most sought-after forward in the NRL.

The Courier-Mail can reveal a staggering 10 NRL clubs, including the Roosters, are targeting Taumalolo, who terrorised England in the Kiwis’ 16-14 Four Nations victory on Saturday night.

But North Queensland hierarchy have moved to stave off a poaching raid, armed with a multi-year, $1 million-plus package to keep Taumalolo in Townsville.

I’M NO SONNY BILL, SAYS TAUMALOLO

Jason Taumalolo will be offered a bumper pay rise to stay with the Cowboys.

Cowboys football manager Peter Parr has opened talks with Taumalolo’s management and is ready to table a formal offer when the Test star completes his Four Nations commitments.

Off-contract next season, Taumalolo is happy at the Cowboys, but the mass interest has convinced him to gauge his value before any decision to commit to North Queensland.

The Roosters view Taumalolo as an ideal replacement for All Blacks defector Williams and he underlined his potential by starring as the Kiwis qualified for the Four Nations final.

NEW ZEALAND EDGE ENGLAND IN THRILLER

The Cowboys are confident they can fend off interest from rival clubs for Taumalolo.

“I’m confident we can keep Jason. I’ve spoken to his manager and we are ready to table a deal and go from informal to formal talks when they are ready,” Parr said.

“I would be surprised if we couldn’t work something out, but given the interest Jason will attract, you don’t take anything for granted.

“His agent (Chris Orr) doesn’t want to do anything until Jason’s commitments are finished in the Four Nations. Once they are finished, we will have a good discussion about how to keep him at the Cowboys.

“Jason has been with us since he was 14 and we’ve had no indication that he wants to go anywhere else.

“But I’m a realist, he is only 21 and is playing some outstanding football, so we won’t be the only club interested in Jason.”

Jason Taumalolo has enjoyed a stellar Four Nations campaign with New Zealand.

Significantly, the Cowboys, with Parr as their chief negotiator, have a history of trumping Sydney-based rivals for their marquee stars.

Champion playmaker Johnathan Thurston has twice rejected NRL rivals to stay in Townsville, while James Tamou and Matt Scott knocked back Parramatta last year to sign long-term deals.

It is understood the Roosters are prepared to pay $500,000 annually to lure Taumalolo, who was guarded about his future after the Kiwis’ defeat of England in Dunedin.

“I’m not giving too much away on that,” he said.

“My focus right now is the Four Nations tournament and doing my best for the Kiwis.

“After this, maybe I will settle in and start to look at my future. I haven’t thought too much about it yet, I’m focusing on this tournament but we’ll see what happens with the Cowboys.”

Taumalolo’s manager Orr said: “Jason has a lot of interest in the marketplace, but we’ll talk to the Cowboys first and go from there.”