Jason Taumalolo is halfway through a 10-year Cowboys contract plenty thought could be cut short this year. Instead, Todd Payten has made the million-dollar man even more dangerous.
Johnathan Thurston, in between jabbing away at Paul Gallen on the Shark Park sidelines, was left speechless.
After 11 years, many of them as one of the most dynamic middle ball-runners ever seen in rugby league, Todd Payten’s plans for the man on a 10-year, $10 million contract were being scrutinised at every turn.But now, at age 28, ball-playing has been added to Taumalolo’s previous bash and barge remit, and Payten is owed an apology or two.Champion Data has Taumalolo touching the ball 20.
“He might play short for someone one play and then the next play he gets on the front foot, which makes him harder to handle.Payten’s eureka moment came while plenty were still wondering aloud about his relationship with his co-captain.It came in round three at Suncorp Stadium. Taumalolo spied Keenan Palasia’s planted feet and piloted young prop Griffin Neame through a gap in Brisbane’s defence that by all rights, wasn’t really there to begin with.is now another string to Taumalolo’s bow.
Preserving a body that’s been battered through 235 NRL games and two broken hands last year didn’t come into the coach’s thinking either.Thurston’s happy to claim it as an added bonus all the same, considering five years remain on Taumalolo’s contract and his 24 games this season are the most he’s played since signing the deal.“‘What are youse thinking?’“Jase is big-boned, so he’s been able to handle those rigours through the middle. Physically, he can still do those big-carry games.
pass for Hiku against the Sharks in week one of the finals proved the highlight of an already fine first stint in the middle, Taumalolo was treated to an 11-minute break.
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