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Why the Cowboys are everyone’s second team: Tender moment one of NRL’s toughest players hugs his beautiful dog ‘Ollie’ as he runs on for his 201st game – as his teammate, 19, cries when he scores a try in his first-ever match
- Jason Taumalolo’s dog, Ollie, stole hearts as the Cowboys played the Knights
- Taumalolo lovingly patted the dog ran out through a tunnel of family and friends
- In the 76th minute Cowboys debutant Heilum Luki cried after scoring a try
- Luki’s ecstatic family cheered as they wore matching shirts bearing his name
- The Cowboys went on to win 36-20 in their round 11 contest against Newcastle
It was meant to be the North Queensland Cowboys best player Jason Taumalolo on centre stage for his 201st game on Thursday night – but instead it was his labrador ‘Ollie’ who stole the show on Thursday night.
While the captain ran out alone on his milestone game against Newcastle in Townsville – he was quickly diverted to his special guest.
Taumalolo was overjoyed to give Ollie an affectionate kiss and a cuddle, before continuing on to the field for the Cowboys’ round 11 match.
Jason Taumalolo’s golden labrador, Ollie, stole the show in the NRL superstar’s 201st game
Fans instantly fell in love with Taumalolo and Ollie after Taumalolo enthusiastically patted him as he ran onto the field
Fans flooded social media with comments about the special moment.
‘I’d like to request an isolated camera on Jason Taumalolo’s dog for the game please,’ one fan tweeted.
‘Taumalolo running out in his milestone game and going straight to his dog… my new favourite player now,’ another said.
Taumalolo is known as one of the NRL’s most destructive and powerful players
Then in the game’s 76th minute, fans were treated to another special moment when Cowboys debutant Heilum Luki crashed over for a try.
The 20-year-old second rower from Cairns was in tears after celebrating his first try in the NRL.
‘The kid’s crying, what a moment!,’ Andrew Voss said in commentary.
A 50-strong crowd of Luki’s family had come down from Cairns to attend his debut, all wearing matching shirts bearing his name.
50 of Heilum Luki’s family travelled from Cairnes to watch him debut for the Cowboys on Thursday
Luki’s family went berserk while wearing t-shirts with his name on them when he scored
Luki was swamped by his teammates after he crossed for his first NRL try
‘The value of the t-shirts has gone up!,’ said Voss as the camera panned to the celebrating family.
As the young forward crossed for his first try they went ballistic in the stands.
‘His whole family’s here, there’s 50 of them come down from Cairns,’ Cowboys coach Todd Payten said after the game.
Luki called his debut ‘a dream come true’ as he thanked his family in the crowd.
‘It’s always good to have my family here, I wouldn’t be here without them,’ he told Cowboys.com.au.
Heilum Luki sharing a special moment with a family member wearing a shirt bearing his name after his debut in the NRL
It wasn’t all smooth sailing as Taumalolo was sent to the sin bin after a high shot in the 25th minute
‘This is all I wanted to do from when I’ve been small, I’m loving it.’
Taumalolo lead his side to a 36-20 victory despite a strong first half fight back from the Newcastle Knights.
But it wasn’t all smiles during the game as Taumalolo was sent to the sin bin in the 25th minute for a high tackle.
At the conclusion of the match the fans were given a chance to meet the beloved pooch as Taumalolo paraded Ollie around the ground.
Fans had a chance to meet the beloved pair after the game as they thanked fans
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