Their game-breaking abilities have prompted comparisons between Jason Taumalolo and Sonny Bill Williams but the North Queensland NRL star says he wants to be his own man.
The 21-year-old was first likened to dual-international Williams shortly after making his NRL debut in 2010.
While Williams’ offloading abilities are dissimilar to Taumalolo’s raw strength and tackle-breaking power, their capacity to break the game open resulted in the New Zealand back-rower being tagged “the next SBW”.
Taumalolo will on Saturday pack down at lock for the Kiwis in their Four Nations clash with England in Dunedin, his spot in the 13 made vacant after Williams’ defection to rugby union.
It has been reported the Sydney Roosters are chasing Taumalolo’s signature when he comes off contract at the end of next season as a replacement for Williams, who will run out for the All Blacks against England this weekend.
Like Williams, the 21-year-old has also tried his hands at both codes – as a kid growing up in Auckland he would play league in the mornings and union in the afternoons.
Despite all the parallels Taumalolo says the comparisons don’t sit well with him.
“I’m not really comfortable with that tag,” he said.
“It’s a big rap, but there is only one Sonny Bill.”
He played for the Junior Kiwis in 2010-11 and played three tests for Tonga at last year’s World Cup.
He was at the centre of a tug-of-war as Australia and New Zealand sought his services but he has no regrets after pledging his allegiance to his country of birth.
He was a standout in his Test debut in the 30-12 win over the Kangaroos in Brisbane last month and rated it as one of the greatest moments of his career.
“Words can’t describe how I felt playing my first Test in the black jersey and the win just capped it off,” he said.
“I’ve developed myself as a player and person this year and I’ve finally reached where I’m supposed to be as a player. I want to show that every time I play for the Kiwis.
“I think I’ve just worked harder this year and it’s starting to pay off. I’m still only 21 and there should be a lot of improvement left in me. I’ve still got another seven or eight years in league and I should be able to develop my game more.”
