‘He’s everything to us’: An ode to Jason Taumalolo ahead of his 250th NRL game for the Cowboys
Jason Taumalolo is a name that will go down in rugby league folklore for decades to come. Relive his greatest moments and hear from his teammates ahead of Jase’s historic 250th match.
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Jason Taumalolo is a name that will go down in rugby league folklore for decades to come.
The talismanic leader of North Queensland has been the biggest advocate for rugby league in the Pacific nations since he made the brave decision to re-pledge his allegiance to his homeland Tonga while at the height of his playing career.
He’s a one-club player, premiership winner, Dally M winner, Four Nations winner, NRL All Star, World Cup captain, six-time Paul Bowman Medallist and a future hall-of-famer.
Taumalolo is a shining beacon of what a kid from Tonga can achieve with enough hard work and dedication, and on Thursday night he joins an elite group of players to reach the 250-game milestone.
When the 30-year-old takes the field, he becomes just the fourth Cowboy to play 250 games for the club alongside Matt Bowen, Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott.
Besides his solitary debut game in 2010, and the current season, Taumalolo has scored at least one try in every season so far.
And through his 14 – yes, 14 – seasons of NRL, his biggest scandal was a juvenile prank that didn’t hurt anyone and landed him a small fine.
Ahead of his major milestone, the Cowboys co-captain said it was a “surreal moment” as he reflected on his career.
“It’s a pretty big achievement, playing 250 games. I’m officially an old-timer now so I’m just going to treat it as another game but pretty proud achievement for myself,” Taumalolo said.
“It means a lot to me. Being at one club, the support these guys have shown me throughout my career and being able to represent the people in North Queensland means a lot to me.
“So to go out there and do it for the 250th time is everything to me.”
Cowboys coach Todd Payten understands just how important Taumalolo is to North Queensland.
“He’s been our best player. I’ve had eight years here at the club and every one of those he’s been, if not the best, he’s in the top three,” Payten said.
“I know his teammates love playing with him. They walk taller when he’s standing beside them, and he’s a handful.
“He doesn’t talk a lot about himself, he’s a quiet kid by nature but once he crosses that line out on the pitch he’s a different person and I’m glad he’s in our team.”
Payten said the fresh-faced kid from Kirwan making his debut while still in year 12 had come a long way.
“He’s matured in age and responsibility. He played first grade at a really young age and the thing that I admire about him is he’s understood where he stands in the game and where his standing is in town,” Payten said.
“He holds that responsibility (and it’s) pretty important to him. What he does for Tonga and the Pacific nations – he’s a beacon and he’s an example for a lot of those kids out in the islands.
“He came here at a young age, he has some family here now and he’s grown up and he’s a terrific person and a very good man.”
On Thursday night Taumalolo won’t be the only person being celebrated.
It’s also the second Paul Green Medal game, in memory of the long-time Cowboys coach that Taumalolo said made a huge impact on who he has become.
“It will be pretty special to be involved in such a game,” Taumalolo said. “Greeny coached me for most of my career and he was a wonderful mentor for myself.
“To be able to go out there on Thursday night and be part of the match, it’s truly an honour and hopefully we see Greeny’s kids run out with us and show them support.”
Talking to Taumalolo’s teammates, it’s easy to sense the admiration – especially with the younger cohort.
Coen Hess has now played nine seasons alongside Taumalolo and he made it clear what the captain means to the Cowboys.
“He’s everything to us. He’s been such a pillar for the club and the community as a whole for a long time,” Hess said.
“I don’t really think I’ve met someone who’s had a bad word to say about him. He’s plays tough, he plays through injuries like no one I’ve ever met.
“He just does everything for us. He’s probably still 12 years old between the ears but he still plays well above his weight even though he is probably 120 kilos, so that’s saying something.”
Luciano Leilua said he admired Taumalolo’s professionalism above all else.
“He does his job and he’s one of a kind – he’s Jason. I was star-struck when I came up here,” Leilua said.
Heilum Luki, 22, said Taumalolo had always been a role model to him.
“The way he gives himself to the team and his ability to keep pushing forward through anything, no matter the score or how he’s feeling – he’s such a great player and he’s really professional,” Luki said.
“He’s someone that I’ve always looked up to and now that I’ve been able to play with him I think it’s huge and I’m really grateful.”
Taumalolo said he had taken leadership qualities from a number of previous teammates including Michael Morgan and Chad Townsend, both of which he co-captained with.
“My job is to go out there and try and lead the way on the field and that’s how I lead. But throughout my career, I’ve had a lot of great leaders that I’ve had to follow and learn from,” Taumalolo said.
“Johno (Thurston) and Matt Scott, they were great leaders in themselves so I’ve had a bit of help in that department to get to where I am right now.”
“It only feels like a few years ago that I was playing alongside them and now they’re retired and I’m officially that guy who all the younger guys are looking up to because I’m a bit older.
“To be part of names like that, it’s an unbelievable achievement but hopefully (I have) a few more games to go.”
JASON TAUMALOLO’S BIGGEST MOMENTS
AUGUST 2010: Makes his debut for the Cowboys under Neil Henry while still a year 12 student at Kirwan High in a 22-20 loss to the Bulldogs. Taumalolo entered the fray from the interchange, wearing jersey No.21.
AUGUST 2011: Scores his first NRL try in a 28-20 victory over the Sharks. Not one to do anything in half-measures, the powerful forward scored his second NRL try in the same match.
APRIL 2013: Makes his international debut for Tonga in a 36-4 win over Samoa.
OCTOBER 2013: Makes his World Cup debut for Tonga in a narrow loss to Scotland, winning the second half 20-6 but falling two-points short of victory. Taumalolo scored his first international try in his third match, this time against Cook Islands.
OCTOBER 2014: Makes his New Zealand Kiwis debut in the Four Nations, going on to beat Australia 22-18 in the final.
OCTOBER 2015: Makes history with the Cowboys by winning the club’s inaugural NRL premiership. At the end of the season Taumalolo was named Dally M lock of the year – a title he won again in 2016 and 2018.
OCTOBER 2016: Taumalolo wins the Dally M as the NRL’s best player of the season. He takes out a rare triple crown in 2016 after also picking up the RLPA player of the year and the once-coveted Rugby League Week player of the year.
MARCH 2017: Signs one of the longest contract deals in NRL history with a 10-year deal reportedly worth $10 million, keeping him at the club until the end of 2027 and all-but confirming he will remain a one-club player.
OCTOBER 2017: The proud Tongan made headlines by sensationally electing to play for his home country despite being a shoe-in for the Kiwis, valuing his pride and heritage over success and money.
DECEMBER 2020: Named to join Michael Morgan as Cowboys co-captain – a title he still holds at the club.
AUGUST 2023: Will play his 250th NRL game, all for his beloved North Queensland Cowboys.
Originally published as ‘He’s everything to us’: An ode to Jason Taumalolo ahead of his 250th NRL game for the Cowboys
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