League: Big expectations for rookie Taumalolo

Jason Taumalolo. Photo / Getty Images

For someone who has yet to play a single minute of test football, there are huge expectations on Jason Taumalolo tomorrow night.

The Cowboys back rower is seen by many as the key impact player for the Kiwis; the man who will provide momentum through the middle with line breaks and damaging runs.
Such hype around a debutant is comparable to Kevin Iro in 1987, Benji Marshall in 2005 or Shaun Johnson a couple of years ago.

New Zealand management have done their best to shield Taumalolo from any added pressure; since the team assembled on Saturday all media requests to talk to the 21-year-old have been turned down, and he won't be available until after the match.

"It can be a tough situation," says Johnson. "I remember when I first came into the Kiwis and I was a bit overawed. Just seeing all the players around you that you have looked up to and being involved in it all; realising that this is it, I'm in the Kiwis."

Johnson admits he was a "bit star struck" back in 2012 and the feel of the week was very different to anything he had experienced as an NRL player. But he doesn't think he was negatively affected by the experience, and had a solid debut as the Kiwis competed well before losing narrowly 20-12.

"There is a lot to take in and certainly I feel more comfortable now," says Johnson. "But when you get out on the field instinct takes over and you realise it's footy...though at a higher level."

Johnson says Taumalolo has settled in well.

"He's not new to the environment - he's been around a fair bit," says Johnson. "I think we have all been trying to help him as much as we can, making him aware that he has a big part to play. He's been pretty quiet but I'm sure that will change on Saturday night."

"It can be difficult being a young guy coming into test football," says Peta Hiku. "But we have a young team at the moment anyway so it is probably easier to fit in."

It seems the time is right for Taumalolo. While he certainly could have handled test football before now - and probably should have had some minutes on an earlier occasion - he comes into Saturday's match off the back of his best season for the Cowboys. He has added much more consistency to his game this year and the move to lock forward has brought a new dimension to his game.

Australian coach Tim Sheens would have already concocted a plan to look after Taumalolo; expect some rough treatment from the likes of Greg Bird and Beau Scott to be coming his way, in the best traditions of the Kangaroos. However, there is no doubt that the classy 21 year old will have a significant impact on the match - and the bigger, the better from a New Zealand point of view.