http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...over-new-zealand/story-e6frep5x-1226310746709
QUEENSLAND'S State of Origin future has received a huge boost with a win in the representative tug of war with New Zealand over the NRL's hottest forward prospect Jason Taumalolo.
Rated the next Sonny Bill Williams, Cowboys forward Taumalolo has ended months of debate over his representative future by pledging his allegiance to Queensland after a meeting with Maroons coach Mal Meninga.
The Courier-Mail revealed on March 21 that Taumalolo was leaning towards representing the Maroons after sounding out Cowboys teammates Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott, both Queensland Origin stalwarts.
Now his defection is complete, with Taumalolo's Maroons loyalties to be formalised when he is picked for Queensland in the inaugural under-20s Origin clash at Penrith on April 21.
The match will be a prelude to Taumalolo being selected in Queensland's Emerging Origin squad next season. He may also be indoctrinated in the values of the Maroons as a non-playing member of one of this year's Origin series squads.
The decision will go down like a lead balloon with Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney and his national selectors, who like many regard the 110kg wrecking ball as one of the most exciting prospects in the code.
Queensland moved quickly after Taumalolo's rampaging performance against Parramatta a fortnight ago in which he scored a superb solo try, set up another, made two line breaks, six tackle busts and ran for 122m from 10 hit-ups.
Meninga flew to north Queensland last Saturday night to watch Taumalolo against the Sharks. While in Townsville, the Maroons coach spoke to Taumalolo and his parents, who possess Tongan heritage but said their preference was for the Cowboys sensation to represent Queensland.
Taumalolo, who last month rejected a mammoth offer from Parramatta to re-sign with the Cowboys until the end of 2015, moved to Townsville from New Zealand as a 15-year-old. Last month, Meninga revealed he hoped Taumalolo would opt to represent the Maroons.
"When it comes to these matters, it's pretty clear cut. If Queensland have put the time and effort into developing a kid, then he should be playing for Queensland, and ultimately Australia," Meninga said. "If New Zealand put in the time and effort, then the kid should play for New Zealand."
Taumalolo told The Courier-Mail last week: "Right now I'm confused but it would be good to put on a Maroon jersey. I've played schoolboys' footy for Queensland and for me State of Origin is the highest level of football."
QUEENSLAND'S State of Origin future has received a huge boost with a win in the representative tug of war with New Zealand over the NRL's hottest forward prospect Jason Taumalolo.
Rated the next Sonny Bill Williams, Cowboys forward Taumalolo has ended months of debate over his representative future by pledging his allegiance to Queensland after a meeting with Maroons coach Mal Meninga.
The Courier-Mail revealed on March 21 that Taumalolo was leaning towards representing the Maroons after sounding out Cowboys teammates Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott, both Queensland Origin stalwarts.
Now his defection is complete, with Taumalolo's Maroons loyalties to be formalised when he is picked for Queensland in the inaugural under-20s Origin clash at Penrith on April 21.
The match will be a prelude to Taumalolo being selected in Queensland's Emerging Origin squad next season. He may also be indoctrinated in the values of the Maroons as a non-playing member of one of this year's Origin series squads.
The decision will go down like a lead balloon with Kiwi coach Stephen Kearney and his national selectors, who like many regard the 110kg wrecking ball as one of the most exciting prospects in the code.
Queensland moved quickly after Taumalolo's rampaging performance against Parramatta a fortnight ago in which he scored a superb solo try, set up another, made two line breaks, six tackle busts and ran for 122m from 10 hit-ups.
Meninga flew to north Queensland last Saturday night to watch Taumalolo against the Sharks. While in Townsville, the Maroons coach spoke to Taumalolo and his parents, who possess Tongan heritage but said their preference was for the Cowboys sensation to represent Queensland.
Taumalolo, who last month rejected a mammoth offer from Parramatta to re-sign with the Cowboys until the end of 2015, moved to Townsville from New Zealand as a 15-year-old. Last month, Meninga revealed he hoped Taumalolo would opt to represent the Maroons.
"When it comes to these matters, it's pretty clear cut. If Queensland have put the time and effort into developing a kid, then he should be playing for Queensland, and ultimately Australia," Meninga said. "If New Zealand put in the time and effort, then the kid should play for New Zealand."
Taumalolo told The Courier-Mail last week: "Right now I'm confused but it would be good to put on a Maroon jersey. I've played schoolboys' footy for Queensland and for me State of Origin is the highest level of football."
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