Taumalolo: Kiwis game time not a concern

The use of Jason Taumalolo was a major talking points from the Kangaroos test. Photo / photosport.nz

Jason Taumalolo has played down his lack of game time in Sunday's 26-6 loss to the Kangaroos, saying it was a coaching decision.

The Kiwis lock forward, who departs for England with the team on Wednesday night, also scotched talk of an off season training stint in the NFL.

The under-utilisation of Taumalolo was one of the major talking points out of the Perth test, with several Australian commentators questioning his prolonged stint off the field.

The 2016 Dally M winner was left on the bench for most of the second half, only returning to the field for the final 15 minutes.

But Taumalolo, who arrived in Auckland on Wednesday afternoon via Townsvile and Brisbane, was unconcerned.

"I haven't looked too much into [my game time]," said Taumalolo. "That is obviously David Kidwell's job. I'm just out there on the field. My job is to play my best footy I can and worry about the game. Obviously Kiddy has his own views on the game and he sees where I fit... that's all I can tell you."

Taumalolo spent much of the second half stretching on the sideline, watching as the Kangaroos gradually overwhelmed the Kiwis, but says it wasn't playing on his mind.

"I was trying to get myself ready to go back on the field," said Taumalolo. "I didn't know when I was going back [on] but my mentality was trying to get myself ready to go back on firing."

Taumalolo averaged 52 minutes per match this season with the Cowboys, but he is capable of playing for extended stints.

He was on the field for 75 minutes during North Queensland's 26-20 extra time win over the Broncos in the elimination semi-final and played for 60 minutes or more on five other occasions this season.

"I'm used differently to a lot of other players," said Taumalolo. "Obviously Kiddy (Kidwell) is still new to the coaching role and the players have got a lot to learn...we learned a lot in Perth."

Like most of his teammates Taumalolo struggled to get into the game on Saturday. He didn't have his first carry until the 12th minute, and spent a lot of the match tackling as the Kiwis continually gave away possession.

But Taumalolo remains one of the best attacking weapons in the sport, and is set to be a major factor in the upcoming Four Nations.

His tackle busting prowess has also attracted the attention of NFL scouts, with four American football clubs reportedly tracking the 23-year-old since the start of this season.

Taumalolo has previously spoken of his admiration for Jarryd Hayne's forays in the United States but was non-committal about a possible Gridiron attempt on Wednesday.

"I haven't really spoken too much about that," said Taumalolo. "I'm just surprised that a few other people know about the NFL talk. Obviously I haven't heard too much about it and I don't think I will for the rest of the year.

"If they do approach me obviously I will talk to them but at the moment I haven't heard anything...so rugby league for now."