Cowboys metre-eater Jason Taumololo punched out more than two hundred metres in their last start against the Eels but in scary news for opponents, he says he's still not back to his best.
Not only did Taumalolo, who returned from a knee injury in round eight, rack up the most metres in the match as the Cowboys accounted for Parramatta last weekend with 233, every member of the North Queensland starting pack surpassed a hundred metres.
"I’ve only played a couple of games. I'm not going to exaggerate too much on how I'm playing but obviously I’m still trying to find my feet, it’s my third or fourth game now," he said.
"When we're playing well through the middle everyone else seems to be feeding off that.
"So I guess this week is no different. And if we can step up again and play for each other, it'll help us take the two points this weekend."
Getting two competition points in round 11 is no easy task - a trip to Canberra up against the much-improved Raiders.
Jake Granville was cleared to play on Tuesday night after fronting the judiciary on a dangerous contact charge on Eels halfback Mitchell Moses.
Raiders v Cowboys - Round 11
"Jake plays a huge part in our team. He was great for us on the weekend. It’s great to see him get off the charge. I heard Greeny [Paul Green] was representing him, I got a bit nervous after the last time he represented me and got me that extra week,” Taumololo laughed.
Taumololo has no doubt Granville will do well in Origin, if selected by the Maroons, given he’s back to playing some of his best footy for the Cowboys.
"Yeah definitely. When he first came to the Cowboys, he showed how explosive and how dynamic he was out of dummy half. He’s slowly hitting his straps again," he said.
"Jake brings a bit of that dynamic pace out of dummy half and not only that, he’s a great defender and he holds his own. It's up to Jake if he wants to make a claim for that Queensland spot."
Brisbane forward Tevita Pangai jnr's decision to rule himself out for selection with the Blues was music to the ears of Taumololo as the Tongan team gears up for next month's Test against New Zealand in Auckland.
"Obviously it's a huge boost for us Tongan players. For him to select Tonga over NSW selection will be huge, not only for us but the game itself. I’m not complaining," he said.
"For him to show loyalty and sticking solid, that's huge, and as fans of the game, we get a boost and everyone that’ll be coming to watch the game will be excited to see Tevita put on the red jersey."
Taumololo missed out on playing against the Raiders earlier in the season due to injury so he is out to make up for lost time in the national capital.
"They have a few young players that have really stepped up. Corey [Horsburgh] used to be here at the Cowboys, he’s a real aggressive defender and he goes really well.
"Last week they played great against the South Sydney pack and no doubt they'll turn up this weekend ready to play," he said.
