Murray Taulagi
{{short description|Australia & Samoa international rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Murray Taulagi
|fullname =
|image = Muzz Taulagi.jpg
|imagesize =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1999|3|12}}
|birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand
|height = {{convert|189|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|103|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|position = {{rlp|WG|CE}}
|club1 = North Qld Cowboys
|year1start = 2019
|year1end = present
|appearances1 = 99
|tries1 = 54
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 216
|teamA = Queensland
|yearAstart = 2022
|yearAend = 24
|appearancesA = 6
|triesA = 2
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 8
|teamB = Australia
|yearBstart = 2022
|yearBend =
|appearancesB = 2
|triesB = 2
|goalsB = 0
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|pointsB = 8
|teamC = Samoa
|yearCstart = 2023
|yearCend =
|appearancesC = 2
|triesC = 1
|goalsC = 0
|fieldgoalsC = 0
|pointsC = 4
|teamD = Prime Minister's XIII
|yearDstart = 2023
|yearDend =
|appearancesD = 1
|triesD = 1
|goalsD = 0
|fieldgoalsD = 0
|pointsD = 4
|retired =
|updated = 12 April 2025
| module = {{infobox person
| embed = yes
| relatives = Jamie-Jerry Taulagi (brother)
}}
}}
Murray Taulagi (born 12 March 1999) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|wg}}er or {{rlp|ce}} for the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL. He has played for both Australia and Samoa at international level.
Background
Taulagi was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and is of Samoan descent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.7news.com.au/sport/rugby-league/cowboys-magical-murray-tipped-for-origin-c-6816189|title=Cowboys' magical Murray tipped for Origin|last1=Clarke|first1=George|website=7news.com.au|date=16 May 2022 |accessdate=23 May 2022}}
His older brother, Jamie-Jerry, is a professional rugby union player, who previously played for Super Rugby sides, the Queensland Reds and Sunwolves.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugby.com.au/players/jamie%20jerry%20taulagi#Super-Rugby|title=Jamie Jerry Taulagi|website=Rugby.com.au|accessdate=9 August 2019}}
He grew up playing rugby union for Otahuhu RFC before moving to Brisbane, Queensland in 2011.{{Cite web|url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/20182/12/01/taulagis-rise-to-the-top-30/|title=Taulagi's rise to the Top 30|date=1 December 2018|website=Queensland Rugby League}} In Brisbane, he attended Brisbane State High School, playing fullback for their rugby union side.{{Cite web|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=CMWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.couriermail.com.au%2Fsport%2Frugby%2Fgps-rugby%2Fgps-rugby-bshs-dream-team-set-to-reunite-in-club-competition%2Fnews-story%2Fe231a81d5400c9d18cd7c69a66461a57&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=1e3b3f75e2a10d2ec1ad80d87441e0b0-1565344522|title=Couriermail.com.au | Subscribe to The Courier Mail for exclusive stories|website=Couriermail.com.au}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TBWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.townsvillebulletin.com.au%2Fsport%2Ftaulagi-keen-for-happy-homecoming%2Fnews-story%2Fd0f4bf794a00f0c1f78a02d42b5bcb36&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=a9a51176710ad42a96dd38b70f8da045-1565344522|title=Subscribe to the Townsville Bulletin|website=Townsvillebulletin.com.au}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2017/04/17/holden-cup-wrap-round-7/|title=Holden Cup wrap: Round 7|date=17 April 2017|website=National Rugby League}}{{Cite web|url=https://blackhawkstsv.com.au/2017/03/23/mendi-blackhawks-mal-meninga-u18-and-fogs-u20-teams-named-round-4/|title=Mendi Blackhawks Mal Meninga U18 and FOGS U20 Teams Named Round 4|date=23 March 2017}} In June 2017, he started at centre for the Queensland under-18 side, scoring a try in their loss to New South Wales.{{Cite web|url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2017/06/12/queensland-under-18-team/|title=Queensland Under 18 team|date=12 June 2017|website=Queensland Rugby League}} On 17 July 2017, he signed a two-year NRL contract with the Cowboys.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/nthqldcowboys/status/886819306385715201|title=2-YR DEAL: Congrats to current NYC Cowboys player Murray Taulagi. He will join Paul Green's NRL squad in 2018 #ridemcowboys @NYCDatabasepic.twitter.com/XAb57MYiJX|website=Twitter.com|date=16 July 2017}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/20182/07/02/rising-stars-feature-for-queensland-under-20s/|title=Rising stars feature for Queensland Under 20s|date=2 July 2018|website=Queensland Rugby League}} In October, he started on the wing for the Junior Kangaroos in their win over the Junior Kiwis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2018/10/03/taulagi-joins-junior-kangaroos/|title=Taulagi joins Junior Kangaroos|date=2 October 2018|website=North Queensland Cowboys}}
Following the 2018 season, Taulagi was elevated to the Cowboys' Top 30 NRL squad.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2018/11/30/taulagis-rise-to-the-top-30/|title=Taulagi's quick rise to Top 30|date=29 November 2018|website=North Queensland Cowboys}}
=2019=
In 2019, Taulagi switched Queensland Cup sides, joining North Queensland's other feeder club, the Townsville Blackhawks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2019/03/05/feeder-club-allocation-townsville-blackhawks/|title=Feeder club allocation: Townsville Blackhawks|date=5 March 2019|website=North Queensland Cowboys}} On 22 February, he tore his medial collateral ligament (MCL) in a pre-season trial against the Gold Coast Titans, ruling him out for six weeks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/02/23/good-headache-to-have-paul-green-undecided-on-halves-combo/|title='Good headache to have': Paul Green undecided on halves combo|date=23 February 2019|website=National Rugby League}} On 5 April, he re-signed with the North Queensland outfit until the end of 2021.[https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2019/04/0] {{dead link|date=August 2019}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TBWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.townsvillebulletin.com.au%2Fsport%2Fnrl%2Fcowboys%2Finspirational-words-of-lote-tuqiri-still-ring-true-for-cowboys-and-maroons-young-gun-murray-taulagi%2Fnews-story%2Fc1c601846f700d3753b8a2c83c7a6580&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=e8052f1c582cd060b12ec279e99a3243-1565344525|title=Subscribe to the Townsville Bulletin|website=Townsvillebulletin.com.au}} On 10 July, he started at centre and scored a try in the Queensland under-20 side's loss to New South Wales.{{Cite web|url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2019/07/06/queensland-under-20-team-in-position/|title=Queensland Under 20 team in position|date=6 July 2019|website=Queensland Rugby League}}
In Round 18 of the 2019 NRL season, Taulagi made his NRL debut for the North Queensland club against South Sydney.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2019/07/16/nrl-team-list-round-18-v-rabbitohs/|title=NRL team list: Round 18 v Rabbitohs|date=16 July 2019|website=North Queensland Cowboys}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TBWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.townsvillebulletin.com.au%2Fsport%2Fnrl%2Fcowboys%2Fyoung-flyer-murray-taulagi-set-to-make-nrl-debut-for-cowboys%2Fnews-story%2F5ff5858ee8ba96020788fc6cc5d23e54&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=7d07c4306e07ce5cba04cd477cad485a-1565344526|title=Subscribe to the Townsville Bulletin|website=Townsvillebulletin.com.au}} In Round 23, he scored his first NRL try in North Queensland's 24–10 win over the Penrith Panthers.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}}
=2020=
In February, Taulagi was a member of the North Queensland 2020 NRL Nines winning squad.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2020/02/15/nines-final-team-list-round-2-v-sea-eagles/|title = Nines final team list: Round 2 v Sea Eagles|date = 15 February 2020}} He played four NRL games for the North Queensland club in 2020, finishing the season as a starting {{rlp|ce}}.
=2021=
In round 11 of the 2021 NRL season, he scored a hat-trick for North Queensland in a 36–20 victory over Newcastle.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-20/nrl-live-score-updates-cowboys-knights/100149388/|title=Cowboys vs Knights, live scores, stats and results|newspaper=ABC News|date=20 May 2021}}
=2022=
In round 10 of the 2022 NRL season, he scored two tries for North Queensland in a 36-12 victory over the Wests Tigers.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-15/nrl-magic-round-sharks-raiders-roosters-eels-tigers-cowboys/101067628/|title=North Queensland Cowboys defeat Wests Tigers 36-12 in NRL Magic Round finale as Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders enjoy wins|newspaper=ABC News|date=15 May 2022 }}
Taulagi played 25 matches for North Queensland in the 2022 NRL season as the club finished third on the table and qualified for the finals. Taulagi played in both finals matches including their preliminary final loss to Parramatta. He finished as the clubs top try scorer for the season with 17 tries.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-finals-2022-brad-arthur-mitchell-moses-parramatta-eels-vs-north-queensland-cowboys-preliminary-final/news-story/40c6fab40479312a2dab062fc15ecebc/|title='See it in their eyes': The late-season pact and 'massive sacrifice' behind Eels surge|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=23 September 2022 }}
In October he was named in the Australia squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rugby-league-world-cup-2021-squad-lists/ Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021] In the third group stage match at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, Taulagi scored two tries for Australia in their 66-6 victory over Italy.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/63442735/|title=Rugby League World Cup: Australia 66-6 Italy - Kangaroos cruise to quarter-finals|work=BBC Sport |date=29 October 2022 }}
=2023=
In round 18 of the 2023 NRL season, Taulagi scored a hat-trick in North Queensland's 74-0 victory over the Wests Tigers.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-north-queensland-cowboys-vs-wests-tigers-live-stream-live-blog-supercoach-scores-videos-valentine-holmes-jahream-bula/news-story/499ac57d057c3b8786b05a70e501b9ed/|title=74-0! Records tumble in 88-year first as Cowboys exact revenge over Tigers: Big Hits|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=July 2023 }}
Taulagi played 20 matches for North Queensland in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 11th on the table.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-2023-north-queensland-cowboys-season-review/7022566a2d89154cc990318b#:~:text=They%20won%20just%20four%20of,the%20nadir%20of%20their%20efforts./|title=NRL 2023: North Queensland Cowboys season review|website=www.sportingnews.com|date=7 September 2023 }}
=2024=
Taulagi was named on the wing for Queensland ahead of game one in the 2024 State of Origin series.{{cite web|url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2024/05/27/maroons-squad-named-for-origin-game-i/|title=Maroons squad named for Origin Game I|website=QRL|date=6 June 2024}}
In round 22 of the 2024 NRL season, Taulagi scored a hat-trick in North Queensland's 48-30 victory over the Wests Tigers.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-live-north-queensland-cowboys-v-wests-tigers-live-scores-updates-stats-live-blog-scott-drinkwater-stefano-utoikamanu/news-story/c6b124a79263f8f31aab675423ef075b/|title=Future's bright for Tigers despite pesky coach killers; Holmes winds the clock back - What we learned|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=August 2024 }}
In round 27, Taulagi scored two tries for North Queensland in their 44-6 victory over Canterbury.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-live-canterburybankstown-bulldogs-v-north-queensland-cowboys-live-updates-blog-scores-video-stephen-crichton-valentine-holmes-nrl-finals-race/news-story/b199bb0af026495ade8262744103c4b4/|title=Massive defensive contrasts define contest as Cowboys star comes of age: What we learned|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=7 September 2024 }}
Taulagi 18 games for North Queensland in the 2024 NRL season as they finished 5th on the table. He played in both finals games for North Queensland as they were eliminated in the second week by Cronulla.{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-the-mole-exclusive-north-queensland-cowboys-season-review-20240924-p5kcxq.html/|title=The Mole: Cowboys show improvement in 2024 but worrying finals stat sparks thorny question|website=www.nine.com.au|date=23 September 2024 }}
Achievements and accolades
=Team=
- 2020 NRL Nines: North Queensland Cowboys – Winners
Statistics
=NRL=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:75%;" | |||||
| width=2%|Season
!width=8%|Team !width=2%|Matches !width=2%|T !width=2%|G !width=2%|GK % !width=2%|F/G !width=2%|Pts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2019
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" |{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} North Queensland | 6|| 2|| 0|| —|| 0|| 8 | |||||
| style="background:#eaeaea;"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2020 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2021
|20 |10 |0 | | |40 | |||||
| 2022
|25 |17 |0 | | |68 | |||||
| 2023
|20 |8 |0 | | |36 | |||||
| 2024
|18 |11 | | | |44 | |||||
| class="sortbottom"
! colspan="2" | Career totals ! 93 ! 49 ! 0 ! — ! 0 ! 196 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://www.cowboys.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/north-queensland-cowboys/murray-taulagi/ North Queensland Cowboys profile]
- [https://www.nrl.com/players/nrl-premiership/cowboys/murray-taulagi/ NRL profile]
{{North Queensland Cowboys squad}}
{{North Queensland Cowboy 2020 NRL Nines Champions}}
{{Australia 2021 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Taulagi, Murray}}
Category:Australia national rugby league team players
Category:New Zealand rugby league players
Category:New Zealand sportspeople of Samoan descent
Category:New Zealand emigrants to Australia
Category:North Queensland Cowboys players
Category:Northern Pride RLFC players
Category:People educated at Brisbane State High School
Category:Prime Minister's XIII players
Category:Rugby league players from Auckland