Record-breaking Jason Taumalolo performance stuns footy fans
North Queensland have a new JT – and his name will sound very familiar.
In the Cowboys’ first official game in the post-Johnathan Thurston era, a 24-12 win over the Dragons, Jason Taumalolo broke his record for metres run in a single game.
According to Fox Sports statistics, the 25-year-old ran for 301 metres on just 21 runs – more than his previous best mark of 283m set in 2017.
The all-time record is 346m by Brisbane great Justin Hodges, according to commentator Warren Smith.
Taumalolo hit holes, made offloads for fun and looked like a man among children against the shell-shocked Dragons.
The Tongan captain made just 15 tackles in the match after starting on the edge, but he didn’t feel any less fatigued at the end of the game.
“I wouldn’t say I saved myself (starting wide),” he told Fox Sports.
“The guys really put me under the pump there.”
While his body of work was impressive in a wet contest, it was a try assist to Te Maire Martin in the 65th minute that really set off the adulation for Taumalolo:
TAUMALOLO 👊
One JT retires and another one steps up! #NRLCowboysDragons #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/40Z0AqcyKb
— NRL (@NRL) March 16, 2019
Fark, Taumalolo just broke his own record for most metres run in a game (283) and there's still 11 minutes to go! #NRLCowboysDragons
— John Dean (@JohnDean_) March 16, 2019
Taumalolo is out there just doing Taumalolo things like racking up nearly 300 metres in a game.
— Pat Orr (@Deadman_Inc86) March 16, 2019
Wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo crushing the opposition tonight #ridemcowboys #NRLCowboysDragons #NRL pic.twitter.com/Vw3S7k0GdF
— Rachel Riley (@Rach_Riley) March 16, 2019
Taumalolo is so good best Forward in the world #NRLCowboysDragons
— Nick From Australia (@Nickybear2K17) March 16, 2019
Jason Taumalolo wow what a beast…too big too strong 👊🏻
— Rob Tattoo (@KnightkingYCBM) March 16, 2019
Taumalolo is a machine #NRLCowboysDragons
— Paul (@ShesApples23) March 16, 2019
Granite looks at Jason Taumalolo with envy
— paul suttor (@paulsuttor) March 16, 2019
Are there any better sights than a rampaging, raging, galloping Jason Taumalolo ? ! #nrl #NRLCowboysDragons #beast
— Greg (@chivers1989) March 16, 2019
Forget anyone else, Taumalolo is far & away the best player in the game when he plays middle. He's the Daily M, Golden boot & next Immortal. Hook it to my veins #NRL #NRLCowboysDragons
— Ben Wallace (@benno_wallace) March 16, 2019
Taumalolo has worked harder than a Townsville mop in recent times.#NRLCowboysDragons
— These Daves (@cricketflog) March 16, 2019
Second-half tries to Michael Morgan and Martin were directly off the back of the hulking forward – Morgan’s via a perfectly timed offload, Martin the beneficiary of a 40m run in which Taumalolo broke through three tackles.
Captain Morgan looked calm in his new leadership role and laid on a pinpoint grubber for Justin O’Neill to ice the game.
The main concern for Cowboys coach Paul Green will be a high first-half shot from off-season recruit Josh McGuire which will be scrutinised by the match review committee.
McGuire was impressive for his new club after a late switch brought the ex-Brisbane forward into the starting side.
The Queensland State of Origin player complimented Taumalolo, setting the platform with 154 metres and making 29 tackles.
For St George, youngster Mikaela Ravalawa was one bright light on a night to forget.
The 21-year-old Fijian winger broke 10 tackles and powered through 60 metres post-contact, proving a constant headache for the North Queensland defence.
The Cowboys take on Brisbane on Friday while the Dragons have only a five-day turnaround before Thursday night’s battle with South Sydney.
with AAP