Exciting young outside back Murray Taulagi has agreed to a two-year contract extension to remain at the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys until the end of the 2021 season.

The 20-year-old joined the Cowboys’ top squad in 2019 after a stellar 2018 season, which saw him represent both the Queensland under 20s and Junior Kangaroos.

Taulagi signed with the Cowboys as a 17-year-old in 2016 after being spotted playing rugby union for Brisbane State High School.

Despite never playing a game of rugby league prior to joining the club, Taulagi starred for the Cowboys NYC side in 2017 before graduating to the Queensland Cup with the Northern Pride in 2018.

A towering outside back, Taulagi suffered a knee injury in the Cowboys’ first pre-season trial against the Gold Coast Titans in February, but is set to make his return for feeder club the Townsville Blackhawks against the Mackay Cutters in the Queensland Cup at Jack Manski Oval tonight.

Cowboys recruitment manager Clint Zammit said while it was immediately evident Taulagi was a special talent, it was his development since joining the club which has been most impressive.

“He was a big and athletic with good balance when we first spotted him. He was playing fullback, but we thought with his physicality we would probably be better suited to our game as a centre or winger,” Zammit said.

“He’s progressed his game over the last two years and we believe he’s ready to take the next step now.

“Murray is a kid with a skillset which will translate perfectly into the NRL. At this stage of his career he is probably best suited to the wing, but he has all the attributes to indicate he could thrive as a centre in the NRL as well.”