Jason Taumalolo hasn’t become the next Sonny Bill Williams. He has become the first Jason Taumalolo with the premiership-winning forward set to play his 100th NRL game for the North Queensland Cowboys against Cronulla.

The Kiwi wrecking ball is in career-best form and co-leads the Handyman Magazine Medal with Brisbane five-eight Anthony Milford.

“I had my doubts back in the day,” he said.

“I never thought I would be playing 100 games for this great club.”

Taumalolo debuted whilst still in high school and struggled at times with being labeled the next SBW.

“I am very proud of Jase. He had to deal with the next Sonny Bill Williams headline and I don’t think that is healthy,” coach Paul Green said.

“If we just let them develop and judge them for what they do, they will reach their potential.”