Brisbane halfback Kodi Nikorima’s plan on how the Broncos can stop rampaging North Queensland forward Jason Taumalolo seems effective, if a tad extreme.
Taumalolo notched over 300m in the Cowboys’ round one NRL victory over St George Illawarra last Saturday in a barnstorming start to his season.
“I guess you’ve just got to take his head off him,” Nikorima simply said when asked how to stop the Tongan wrecking ball.
Light-hearted reference to decapitation aside, the Kiwi international knows just how vital stopping Taumalolo will be when the Broncos face the Cowboys in a Queensland derby on Friday night.
“He performed strongly on the weekend and started at back row, so obviously he was a lot fresher going into the game when he moved into lock forward,” Nikorima said.
“We’re going to have to aim up on him this week.”
The Broncos head into the clash undermanned in the forward stocks with Matt Lodge copping a two-game suspension for dangerous contact on Cameron Munster in the opening minute of last Thursday’s loss to Melbourne.
With Payne Haas serving the second match of a four-game club-imposed ban, it leaves the Broncos light on size against a Cowboys pack that includes Taumalolo, Matt Scott, Gavin Cooper, Jordan McLean and Coen Hess.
Youngster Tevita Pangai Junior is among those hoping to provide the punch up front for the Broncos after his impressive display off the bench against the Storm.
Former Cowboy Shaun Fensom could also force his way in for his Broncos debut.
Nikorima was putting a brave face on the Broncos lack of size in the middle.
“It paves the way for someone else,” he said.
“That’s the mentality here … I have every confidence whoever steps into that role or fills those shoes will do a good job.”
Centre James Roberts is also facing a race to be fit for Friday’s clash after suffering a chronic back spasm early in the Storm defeat.
The NSW State of Origin representative did some sprint drills at training on Monday and could yet feature against the Cowboys.
“It’s good to see Jimmy running, I spoke to him after the game and he didn’t look too well,” Nikorima said.
“That gives us a lot of confidence this week that he may be a chance.”
