Tongan rugby league superstar Jason Taumalolo says he is determined to play big minutes and give everything he has this season, insisting he does not want to be protected or held back despite having two years remaining on his 10‑year mega‑deal with the North Queensland Cowboys.
As the Cowboys prepare to launch their 2026 NRL campaign against the Newcastle Knights at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday, the 32‑year‑old forward—proudly regarded as one of Tonga’s most influential and iconic rugby league figures—has been named to start in the front row.
Taumalolo, widely celebrated in Tonga for lifting the national team onto the world stage during the historic 2017 Rugby League World Cup run, made clear that he still approaches the game with the same ferocity and pride he has carried throughout his career.
“I’ll go all out until the wheels fall off if I had it my way,” Taumalolo declared, rejecting the idea of limiting his minutes simply to preserve his body for the final years of his contract.
His coach, Todd Payten, has often taken a cautious approach to protect Taumalolo from further damage to his knees, but the Tongan powerhouse says he would rather empty the tank every game than focus on longevity.
Taumalolo played only 10 matches last season but says offseason surgery has left him feeling the healthiest he has been in two years, giving him renewed confidence heading into the Vegas opener.
With global attention on the NRL’s return to the United States, Taumalolo’s presence adds star power—especially for Tongan and Pasifika fans who continue to view him as a trailblazer and cultural icon in the sport.
The Cowboys’ full 2026 team list confirms Taumalolo will anchor the forward pack on Sunday, setting the stage for another season in which the Tongan enforcer aims to dominate through power, endurance, and pride in his heritage.
