North Queensland talisman Jason Taumalolo insists he doesn’t know where he’ll line up in the Cowboys’ all-star pack this NRL season.
A week out from the Cowboys’ round-one clash with St George Illawarra, the Tongan superstar says it still remains to be seen whether he will wear the No.13 jersey or shift to the right-edge back row.
Coach Paul Green is thought to be seriously considering the move to make room for Brisbane recruit Josh McGuire in the starting XIII.
Taumalolo hasn’t played in the second row since 2014 but did so in pre-season.
“I can honestly tell you I don’t know yet what I’m doing,” Taumalolo told AAP.
“I played a bit of back row in the trial. I’ve also been playing in the middle. I won’t be certain where I’m going to play yet until the team list is announced or even warm-up just before the game.”
The Cowboys are expected to field an all-representative forward pack this year, with Matt Scott and Jordan McLean in the front row and back-rower Gavin Cooper to also feature.
Green’s decision to move Taumalolo from the back row to lock in 2015 proved a masterstroke and changed the course of the 25-year-old’s career.
For years he was touted as the “next Sonny Bill Williams” but proved to be something completely different and has grown to become rugby league’s most devastating middle forward.
He paved the path for the Cowboys’ maiden premiership win in 2015, won the Dally M in 2016 and the following year became the first forward to make 5000 metres in a season. He has also won the Dally M lock of the year award in three of the last four seasons.
Asked if he thought a move out wide would blunt his effectiveness, Taumalolo said: “Going down the edge gives me a chance to run out wider and test those outside backs and halves. In terms of involvement in the game, I won’t get as many touches as I’d like. I’m happy wherever I play.”
Nor did Taumalolo hide his glee at the prospect of testing out the opposition halves and outside backs from the right edge.
“It’s a bit unfair but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,” Taumalolo said.