The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys have signed forward Jamayne Taunoa-Brown on a two-year deal for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
A Melbourne Storm junior, Taunoa-Brown also spent time in the Newcastle Knights system before joining the Warriors prior to the 2020 season.
The 116kg middle forward made his NRL debut in Round 1 of the 2020 season and quickly established himself as a key member of the Warriors rotation, playing 19 of a possible 20 games.
Taunoa-Brown played a further 13 games for the Kiwi outfit in 2021 and two for St George Illawarra after joining the Dragons on a loan deal late in the season.
Cowboys Head Coach Todd Payten, who coached Taunoa-Brown at the Warriors, said he was thrilled to secure the 24-year-old for the next two seasons.
“Jamayne’s a big body, who moves well and can play big minutes,” Payten said.
“He’s got soft hands, light feet and he’s technically sound defensively.
“He’s a quiet kid who took an opportunity on a train and trial at the Warriors, worked his tail off and earned his way into an NRL system through the backdoor after not being signed out of under 20s.
“I am really excited to have him join us at the Cowboys and I envisage him playing an important role for us over the next two seasons.”
