Cowboys give Jason Taumalolo 10-year contract

Last year's NRL player of the year, back-rower Taumalolo made his Cowboys debut in 2010 and is now set to spend the rest of his career with the Townsville-based franchise after signing the reported $10m (£6.15m) deal.

Former Tonga and current New Zealand international Taumalolo was a key part of the Cowboys side that won the NRL premiership in 2015 and helped guide them to the 2016 finals, where they were beaten by eventual champions Cronulla.

"I'm very proud to be able to say that I'm staying a Cowboy for life," said Taumalolo, who considered a move to the NFL and spent time in the United States on trial.

"Obviously to throw myself into another game, the negatives outweighed the positives. It was all about securing my future and obviously the opportunities that I have playing for this club, to be playing for this club for the rest of my career, is a big one for me."

Cowboys coach Paul Green said the new contract had given the club a massive boost, coming in the wake of a season-ending injury suffered by lynchpin forward Matt Scott.

Green added: "It definitely gives us stability. He's a key player in the game and a key player at our club.

"He's certainly committed to the club. Securing it for that far means all parties get a win."