Murray Taulagi


Murray Taulagi is a New Zealand-Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a for the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL.

Background

Taulagi was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and is of Samoan descent.
He grew up playing rugby union for Otahuhu RFC before moving to Brisbane, Queensland in 2011. In Brisbane, he attended Brisbane State High School, playing fullback for their rugby union side.
In 2016, while playing in the GPS competition, Taulagi was spotted by North Queensland Cowboys recruitment manager Clint Zammit and signed with the NRL club, despite having never played rugby league. His older brother, Jamie-Jerry, is a professional rugby union player, who previously played for Super Rugby sides, the Queensland Reds and Sunwolves.

Playing career

Early career

In 2017, Taulagi relocated to Townsville and joined the Cowboys under-20 squad. He began the season playing for the Townsville Blackhawks Mal Meninga Cup side before making his NYC debut for the Cowboys, scoring two tries in a victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons. In June 2017, he started at centre for the Queensland under-18 side, scoring a try in their loss to New South Wales. On 17 July 2017, he signed a two-year NRL contract with the Cowboys.
In 2018, Taulagi spent the entire season playing for the Cowboys' Queensland Cup feeder club, the Northern Pride, scoring nine tries in 19 games. In June 2018, he started on the wing for the Queensland under-20 side in their win over New South Wales. In October, he started on the wing for the Junior Kangaroos in their win over the Junior Kiwis. Following the 2018 season, Taulagi was elevated to the Cowboys' Top 30 NRL squad.

2019

In 2019, Taulagi switched Queensland Cup sides, joining the Cowboys' other feeder club, the Townsville Blackhawks. On 22 February, he tore his medial collateral ligament in a pre-season trial against the Gold Coast Titans, ruling him out for six weeks. On 5 April, he re-signed with the Cowboys until the end of 2021.
He returned from injury in Round 5, playing just four games before tearing his lateral meniscus against the CQ Capras, which forced him to miss nine weeks. On 10 July, he started at centre and scored a try in the Queensland under-20 side's loss to New South Wales.
In Round 18 of the 2019 NRL season, Taulagi made his NRL debut for the Cowboys against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. In Round 23, he scored his first NRL try in the Cowboys' 24–10 win over the Penrith Panthers.

2020

In February, Taulagi was a member of the Cowboys' 2020 NRL Nines winning squad.

Achievements and accolades

Team

NRL