Vaai Taumalolo, better known by his nickname Jason, is a prominent figure in professional rugby league.
He currently plays as a forward for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League (NRL), one of the world’s premier rugby leagues.
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- Full name: Vaai Taumalolo
- Stage Name: Jason
- Date of birth: May 31, 1993
- Age: 31 years old
- Place of birth: Māngere, Auckland, New Zealand
- Nationality: New Zealander
- Occupation: Rugby player
- Height: 1.91m
- Parents: Tominika Taumalolo and Vaai Akolo
- Siblings: Warner Taumalolo
- Spouse: Liana Lariva
- Children: None
- Relationship: Married
- Net Worth: $10 million to $50 million
Early life and education
Jason was born on 31 May 1993 in Māngere, Auckland, New Zealand. He was raised by his parents, Dominika Taumalolo and Vaai Akolo, and his older brother, Warner Taumalolo. Jason attended Kirwan State High School.
After completing his secondary education, Jason attended De La Salle College. Jason is of Tongan descent. He has maintained a strong connection to his Christian faith, which has served as a guiding light throughout his life.
Career
Jason Taumalolo is a professional rugby league player with a successful career in the National Rugby League (NRL) with the North Queensland Cowboys. In 2009, Taumalolo played for the Townsville Stingers in the Cyril Connell Cup, scoring seven touchdowns. Later that year, he was selected for the Queensland under-16s team.
The following year, in 2010, Taumalolo joined the Cowboys’ U20 side, making his NRL debut against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in Round 24 of the 2010 NRL season. At 17 years, 2 months and 21 days, he became the youngest player ever to debut for the Cowboys.
Taumalolo made his second NRL appearance almost a year later, in Round 24 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. He featured in Round 25 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, coming off the bench and scoring two important touchdowns.
In 2012, Taumalolo was selected as a reserve player in the New Zealand squad for the ANZAC Test against Australia but was not selected to play. However, he later pledged allegiance to New Zealand, his country of birth, and played for Tonga against New Zealand in June 2012.
Over the years, Taumalolo has continued to be a key player for the North Queensland Cowboys, making significant contributions to the team’s achievements.
In the 2022 NRL season, he played 25 games for the Cowboys, including their final match. They reached the preliminary final before losing to the Parramatta Eels. In 2023, Taumalolo played 16 games for the Cowboys, as the club finished 11th on the NRL ladder.
Awards and nominations
- Dally M Medal
- Players Championship: (2016)
- Golden Boot Award
- New Zealand Player of the Year
Social media
- Instagram name:@jason.taumalolo
- Facebook manager: Jason taumalolo
- Twitter Username: @JasonTamalolo13
Personal life
Jason Taumalolo, the famous rugby player, seems to have a happy and private marriage with his wife, Liana Lariva. The couple have been together for many years and seem to enjoy a fairly low-key relationship away from the public eye.
There are no reports of the couple having children. However, they still fill their daily lives with joy and happiness, maintaining a strong and fulfilling relationship.
Net worth
Jason Taumalolo’s estimated net worth, ranging from $10 to $50 million, is a testament to his successful career in professional rugby league.
As one of the most dominant and valuable players in the game, Taumalolo’s substantial net worth reflects his exceptional achievements and accomplishments throughout his career.