Thu 21 May, 2015, 5:04pm
By Steven Ross, North Queensland Correspondent, NRL.com
Cowboys back-rower Jason Taumalolo is expected to make his return against the Wests Tigers this weekend after a four-week layoff from injury.
John Asiata, who recently signed a two-year contract extension, let the cat out of the bag on Thursday morning, indicating that the explosive ball-runner was ready to go after a strong week on the training track.
Taumalolo’s estimated return of 4-6 weeks will be right on schedule if he takes the field on Saturday, which marks four weeks to the day since he went down in Round 8.
The inclusion of the Kiwi international is a much-needed boost for North Queensland’s fledgling forward pack, featuring the likes of Kelepi Tanginoa, Ben Spina and Sam Hoare.
Hoare will line up next to veteran Ben Hannant in a front row minus big-name bookends Matt Scott and James Tamou (Origin), along with Scott Bolton (injury).
Taumalolo’s inclusion will likely push either Kelepi Tanginoa or Glenn Hall out of the side.
“[Taumalolo is training] awesome. He’s been real good. It will be good to have him back this weekend and hopefully we lift,” Asiata said on Thursday.
“It doesn’t really change anything. If he starts or if he doesn’t start, my role really doesn’t change. I just have t do my part and when Jase comes in he will add a boost to our forward pack and it will be good to play with him again coming back from injury.”
By Steven Ross, North Queensland Correspondent, NRL.com
Cowboys back-rower Jason Taumalolo is expected to make his return against the Wests Tigers this weekend after a four-week layoff from injury.
John Asiata, who recently signed a two-year contract extension, let the cat out of the bag on Thursday morning, indicating that the explosive ball-runner was ready to go after a strong week on the training track.
Taumalolo’s estimated return of 4-6 weeks will be right on schedule if he takes the field on Saturday, which marks four weeks to the day since he went down in Round 8.
The inclusion of the Kiwi international is a much-needed boost for North Queensland’s fledgling forward pack, featuring the likes of Kelepi Tanginoa, Ben Spina and Sam Hoare.
Hoare will line up next to veteran Ben Hannant in a front row minus big-name bookends Matt Scott and James Tamou (Origin), along with Scott Bolton (injury).
Taumalolo’s inclusion will likely push either Kelepi Tanginoa or Glenn Hall out of the side.
“[Taumalolo is training] awesome. He’s been real good. It will be good to have him back this weekend and hopefully we lift,” Asiata said on Thursday.
“It doesn’t really change anything. If he starts or if he doesn’t start, my role really doesn’t change. I just have t do my part and when Jase comes in he will add a boost to our forward pack and it will be good to play with him again coming back from injury.”