Jason Taumalolo says he wants to go all out and play big minutes rather than be held back for the sake of seeing out the remaining two seasons of his 10-year mega-deal.
The Cowboys kick off their 2026 campaign against Newcastle at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, with Taumalolo named to start in the front row.
Jason Taumalolo attends Thursday’s Fremont St ExperienceCredit: NRL Images/Grant Trouville
Coach Todd Payten has been happy to protect the 32-year-old from himself and his suspect knees to give him every chance of getting to the end of 2027, when his $9 million contract expires.
But Taumalolo isn’t one for self-preservation. “I’ll go all out until the wheels fall off if I had it my way,” the North Queensland powerhouse told this masthead.
“All this body management stuff, I’ve already told them [the Cowboys] it’s their decision to play me the way they see fit. If I had it my way, if I don’t make the last year of my contract, so be it.
“I’d much rather go out there and go all out until I can’t give no more. I’ve lived by the sword these last 14 or 15 years of my career, and I’ll happily die by it.”
Jason Taumalolo carts the ball up last year against Parramatta.Credit: Getty Images
The Tongan enforcer trained on his own at the start of an opposed session against Super League champions Hull KR during the week, but said that was no cause for alarm as he regularly does the “old man’s warm-up”.
Taumalolo was restricted to 10 games last season and 23 in 2024. After having a clean-out on his right knee during the off season, Taumalolo was optimistic about the season ahead.
“This is the healthiest I’ve felt the last two years,” he said. “I finally got my right knee cleaned out, so everything is fixed, and fingers crossed I can stay on the field and stay healthy.”
Game-day conditions are set to suit the Cowboys, with the forecast temperature of 28 degrees set to make it the hottest February day in Vegas for 40 years.
Taumalolo was last in the US a decade ago, when he and Valentine Holmes – who is also in town with St George Illawarra – tried their luck at an NFL combine. Holmes returned a few years later for a second crack, and featured in four pre-season games with the New York Jets before being released.
Taumalolo passed on the chance of a second trial, and inked the lifetime deal with the Cowboys.
“I saw Val and we spoke about how crazy it was to think the last time we were here together, we had the NFL combine stuff happening,” Taumalolo said.
“I was meant to come back, but I had a big decision to make with the Cowboys. Val chanced his hand and came here [a few years later].
“Do I have a bit of regret? Maybe slightly. I would have been curious to see how I went. There were a few teams that wanted to do an individual [assessment].
“But I signed the deal here. I wouldn’t change it again if I went back. I enjoy playing for this club, I love giving it my all, and hopefully I can do that the last two years.”
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