NORTH Queensland superstar Jason Taumalolo has revealed a desire to become the next Paul Gallen of the NRL as it emerged the Kiwi Test star was in negotiations for a potential move to Cronulla.

Taumalolo is this week living out one of his rugby league dreams, forming a backrow partnership with Gallen in the NRL All Stars team and learning from the NSW skipper Gallen he has idolised his entire career.

It is a combination which could become more permanent with Taumalolo last weekend spotted in the Shire meeting with Cronulla as the Sharks join the likes of the Sydney Roosters in circling the off contract 21-year-old.

media_camera Jason Taumalolo scores a try

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The Cowboys remain confident they will retain Taumalolo and gave permission for his trip to meet clubs in Sydney last weekend, but won’t enter into a bidding war to pay overs for a lock forward.

Taumalolo was coy on his future when asked in All Stars camp, but a slip of the tongue however may be the first indication the offers from down south could be simply too good to refuse.

“I’m sure when the opportunity comes I will talk to my manager about what’s out there for me as a player and on the market or staying with the Cowboys,” he said.

media_camera A happy Paul Gallen at the NRL All Stars and Indigenous All Stars media session.

“First and foremost it’s my last year here with the Cowboys and I’m definitely going to make the most of it. If it’s my last year, or I guess you know, they’ve looked after me through the whole of my career and I definitely want to repay them for that.

“Definitely every game of footy I will give it all my best.”

Foremost in Taumalolo’s mind this week is learning from the player he considers a “once in a generation” talent in Gallen.

This week marks a major milestone for Gallen too as it will be his first rugby league game since serving his ASADA drug suspension.

Given the respect and admiration from an emerging young star like Taumalolo it’s clear that Gallen’s reputation among his peers is hardly diminished in the wake of his drugs admission last season.

“To be honest there was probably one player that I looked up to that’s from outside the Cowboys and I still look up to him now and it’s definitely Gal,” Taumalolo said.

“Just his competitiveness and how tough a player he is. He has done it all in the NRL. He has won State of Origins, played Test footy and was obviously captain of Cronulla and I look up to Gal.

media_camera Jason Taumalolo in action.

“He has all my respect and just to share the field with him is an honour and a privilege in itself so Gal is definitely the player that I’m most looking forward to sharing the field with.

“If I have the opportunity I will ask Gal how he does it and how he prepares, especially at his age.

“The age he is right now and still to be pushing out 80 minutes in Origin, that is something special and I guess Gal will be one of those players up there as once in a generation.

“Just spending a week with Gal and getting to know him as a person is special in itself.”