There was a cracking yarn the last time Jason Taumalolo and Kalyn Ponga featured in an NRL finals series in Townsville. Just ask Taumalolo.
Certainly, it was no yolk – just ask Cowboys officials and the game’s head office.
“We got into trouble for that egging incident,” Taumalolo volunteered to this masthead during the week.
“How ironic is that? Me, Kalyn, Jake Clifford and Braden Hamlin-Uele were involved in that incident – now we’re all involved in the NRL finals series.”
Taumalolo made headlines on the eve of the 2016 finals when he and Tautau Moga, along with three Holden Cup players – Ponga, Hamlin-Uele and Clifford – were charged with wilful damage after egging a number of parked cars during a late-night drive through Townsville.
Then 23, Taumalolo was regarded as one of the premier forwards in the game, and the NRL allowed him to play against Melbourne in a qualifying final a few days later.
On the (sunny side) up: Kalyn Ponga and Jason TaumaloloCredit: Illustration: Marija Ercegovac
He was mobbed by journalists when the team transited through Brisbane, played dreadfully against the Storm, then returned and ran for almost 300m in an extra-time victory over the Broncos.
Ponga, then just 18, escaped a public frying over the egg incident and made a name for himself when he debuted in that same Broncos semi.
Queensland Police confirmed via a statement at the time: “It will be alleged around 10pm the men attended a Hugh Street convenience store and purchased a number of eggs.
“As the men left the business it will be alleged they threw eggs at five vehicles parked nearby causing damage before driving off in a vehicle. A number of vehicles suffered minor damage in the alleged incident.
Jason Taumalolo has been back to his best this year for the CowboysCredit: Getty Images
“Around 11.30pm, police were patrolling nearby when they stopped a vehicle for the purpose of a random breath test (RBT). At this time, a member of the public advised officers that this vehicle was allegedly involved in an earlier wilful damage incident in Hugh Street.
“It will further be alleged a number of eggs and egg cartons were located in the vehicle.”
Taumalolo remains grateful the late-night antics did not cost the players involved their careers – and glad they had since taken different paths to be where they are now.
Clifford pinched the Cowboys’ No. 7 jersey off Chad Townsend in the latter parts of this season, and will join Taumalolo in their elimination final on Saturday night against Ponga and the Knights.
‘It was kids being kids at the time. We only went through the one carton [of eggs].’
Cowboys forward Jason Taumalolo
Hamlin-Uele was listed among the reserves for the Sharks’ qualifying final against Melbourne, while Moga was forced to quit the game after a fourth knee reconstruction last year.
“We got fined, that was it,” Taumalolo said. “We can all afford it – now.
“There was no ringleader that night. We went for a drive. Braden was driving. It was just something to do. It was kids being kids at the time. We only went through the one carton [of eggs].”
Taumalolo has been able to string some games together this year and will be desperate to help the Cowboys advance to week two of the finals. Ponga has led the Knights to their last two wins, and would love to get one back on his first club.
Taumalolo will never forget Ponga’s debut against the Broncos, and the way he motored down the sideline in the first half and kept stepping in-field to almost score.
“When I was watching that, it was like time stood still, and at that point, you could tell he had the potential to become a superstar of the game,” Taumalolo said.
“Fast forward to 2024, and you’ve seen what he does and what he’s capable of. It’s been incredible to watch.”
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