Personal milestones have never been a driving factor in Jason Taumalolo's career, but even he can admit playing 150 NRL games is a special achievement.
The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys lock will become just the 14th player in club history to reach the 150-game milestone on Saturday evening – 12 days before his 25th birthday.
"150 games, it makes me sound a bit older than what I am. Not many boys can say they've played 150 NRL games and especially for a great club like this so I am pretty proud of that," he said.
"It is a pretty special occasion for myself, but it is just another game and hopefully we can get the win which would be a bonus.
"I don't see myself as an NRL veteran, but after you do six or seven NRL pre-seasons you do start to look at yourself as one of the old boys."
Still just 24 and with nine seasons remaining on his contract, Taumalolo is poised to surpass many more milestones in his career, but the Cowboys wrecking-ball refused to be drawn into discussing the future when speaking to the media today.
Instead he is determined to help the Cowboys turn their 2018 season around.
"Obviously I've got a fair bit of time left on my contract, but anything could happen during that time. I'd love to play another 150, but for now I'm just worried about this year," Taumalolo said.
The Cowboys kick-starting their season begins with a mouthwatering clash with South Sydney at 1300SMILES Stadium on Saturday night.
Taumalolo said he is eagerly anticipating the showdown with the Rabbitohs and their monster forward pack lead by the Burgess brothers.
"The Bunnies have been playing well off the back of the three Burgess brothers so we'll have our hands full on Saturday night," he said.
"If we are going to be any chance of winning, those three are going to be key indicators for them that we need to minimise.
"We can say as much as we want outside of the field, but at the end of the day we have to pull on that jersey and go out on the field and make it happen."
