Rugby League: Warriors miss out on Jason Taumalolo

Securing a talent such as Cowboys and Kiwis back-rower Jason Taumalolo could prove a smart move for the Warriors, even with a price-tag of $1 million a season. Picture / Getty Images

Boom North Queensland forward Jason Taumalolo has turned down a big-money offer from the Warriors to pledge his future to the Cowboys.

In a huge coup for the Townsville club, the Kiwi representative has officially extended his contract until the end of the 2017 NRL season.

Taumalolo reportedly had a two-year, $2 million offer on the table from the Warriors - a deal that would have turned him into the highest-paid forward in the NRL.

But his decision to stick with North Queensland is an enormous vote of confidence in the club as it plots an assault on a maiden NRL premiership this year.

"I couldn't be happier knowing that my future is secured with the club, and look forward to a big season with the boys," Taumalolo said.

North Queensland co-captains Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott had made public appeals to Taumalolo in recent weeks to convince him to ignore the lure of returning to his native Auckland and stay loyal to the club.

Reports indicate Taumalolo has sacrificed nearly $1 million in doing so.

Cowboys general manager of football Peter Parr said he was delighted to have secured Taumalolo's prized signature.

"Jason enjoys being part of our tight-knit club and we believe his presence in our line-up will help us achieve some big things," Parr said.

"Jason is still only a young man and has plenty of development left in his game."

The 21-year-old had a breakout 2014 campaign, starring in North Queensland's Auckland Nines victory before playing all 25 NRL matches for the Cowboys, scoring six tries.

He trailed only co-captain Matt Scott in metres per game last season and topped the team in tackle busts with 77.

By season's end, Taumalolo made his international debut for New Zealand at the Four Nations and had cemented his reputation as one of the most exciting young players in the game.

The bullocking back-rower was originally signed by the Cowboys as a 13-year-old and made at just 17 became the youngest North Queensland player to make his NRL debut.