Jason Taumalolo and Valentine Holmes will trial in front of a number of NFL clubs this weekend. Both are currently flying to the USA after clashing in the Four Nations final on Monday morning.
The NFL Management Council issued a release to clubs and scouts that Taumalolo and Holmes would be showing their wares at a to-be-determined location in Los Angeles on 26th November.
The document, obtained exclusively by The Roar, says:
“Jason Taumalolo and Valentine Holmes, two of the best players in Australia’s National Rugby League, have scheduled a work out for NFL clubs this Saturday.
“These players are considered NFL free agents and are eligible to sign with clubs after the club has received written permission from the player’s National Rugby League club.”
According to the release this is a work out for demonstrative purposes, with both players currently locked in for one more year on their NRL deals.
A source from one NFL club confirmed to The Roar today that the two players are among a list of potential candidates considered for trials after the current NFL season is completed.
The source told The Roar that Taumalolo, in particular, is being looked at in a running back or tight end role. Holmes is also being looked at as a running back.
At this stage it is unclear how many clubs will send scouts to the work out, but the source said that their East coast-based club is seriously considering sending scouts to the trial.
It has also been confirmed to us that there are scouting reports available to NFL clubs on both players.
In September it was reported that Taumalolo was considering a Jarryd Hayne-esque switch to the NFL.
Taumalolo indicated in January in an interview with Fox Sports that he would be interested in having a trial with the NFL.
“A few boys last off-season went and had trials so it will be interesting to see what happens next off-season,” he said.
“It proves anything is possible if you dream big. Jarryd wanted to play NFL and he went over and did it.
“The Cowboys are my main priority… but I guess it’s a long-term thing.”
How long-term this is for the 23-year-old Taumalolo
The big lock was non-committal earlier this year when asked where his future la.
“It’s something I haven’t thought about too much but the question will come up sooner rather than later,” he said.
“I will find out where my future lies over the next 12 months.”
With Taumalolo having won a premiership in 2015 with the Cowboys, and Holmes winning with the Sharks in 2016, it would appear to be perfect timing for both players. Taumalolo is also the joint holder of the Dally M Medal.
2017 could be the year for the two stars, but it would be a body blow to the NRL if they decided to leave. The League has already gone without one of their brightest talents for nearly two full seasons.
Jarryd Hayne showed that a swift transition could be achieved, and with Taumalolo, 23, and Holmes, 21, at the perfect age to trial, the timing could be perfect.
UPDATE: The North Queensland Cowboys have confirmed Taumalolo is travelling to the US with the full knowledge of the club.
They released the following statement:
The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys are aware that player Jason Taumalolo is returning from the Four Nations tournament via the USA where he will undergo testing in front of NFL scouts.
Jason has done this with the full backing of the club, and in consultation with the player’s management.
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
Defensive Ends have to be fast and catch a ball, they defend against the pass. Can Taumalolo do that? Defensive linebackers are the ones who need to tackle against the run. Taumalolo is better suited to as a Linebacker!
John Billiris
Roar Guru
You don't think either player would take an NFL contract before their current NRL deal expires? The NRL clubs won't keep a player who has his heart and mind set on playing in the NFL. The timeline of training camp and the NFL season means that these players might have a shot at getting an NFL deal before the NRL season begins...
BrainsTrust
Guest
Jarryd Hayne commited himself to the NFL without a cent on the table, these guys have announced they would be interested at end of their current contract which would mean 2018, and on condition of being offered a contract. . it seems like a publicitiy stunt aimed at keeping the interest in NFL going here after Hayne. If the NFL thought they were making headway in Australia with Hayne maybe they should have influenced his team to give him a bit of special treatment and given another chance after he dropped a few with more kick returning opportunities. That would have been problematical because unlike the AFL who can have one of their puppet teams hire anyone the AFL wants, NFL teams are all independent.
Josiah
Guest
If you're talking about RB or DB, then yes, he'd be taller than most, but he'd be short for any lineman position as most average over 6'5 and heavier. The position he'd be best suited for would probably be TE if that!
Josiah
Guest
It's actually $450k a year
BrainsTrust
Guest
There would be a lot of NFL players who are in super shape, and some would be super fit but its by choice and how they keep in shape.Its easier for some to stay slim with a lot of fitness workouts. In NRL its a non negotiable, you can't play if your not fit enough because of the continual movement of the defensive line up and back and quick play the ball, unless your name is Wally Lewis and lounge in cover defence. You can get more of a breather if your in the backs better than in the forwards, but you still have to keep up with the line. The forwards have to be relatively fitter because there is more activity in the center but because they are heavier as well and less geared to towards running efficiently than the backs the props tend to come last in the fitness runs. In rugby its more complicated, the backrow have to be super fit, the other forwards have to have some measure of fitness, but it can vary. you can have a breather in the other forward positions, if you look at Brad Thorn he had the fitness for rugby league and could play in the backrow in rugby as well, Garrick Morgan while he looked great in rugby not just in the line outs but in general play, if you want to in rugby as a second rower you just lie there in the ruck and have a breather, once in rugby league there was no place for him to hide and he had to be subbed off continually. Then you have the backline and in rugby there is even less fitness than rugby league. Five eigth has been traditionally a luxury position and you can be both unfit and incapable of tackling and still get a game there, as you deliver in other areas. Mark Ella while he was the best play making running five eigth in the history of rugby he tended to be roly poly and unfit. In rugby sevens because the anmount of space versus numbers , no one can hide ,there is no time for breathers and everyone has to be super fit. This is very demanding fitness wise. Nate Ebner a current NFL player did play for the American team in between NFL seasons, he was actualy from a rugby background before college, whether he had to increase his fitness training I don't know. Perry Baker though is the big hit because of his speed and there are a lot of super fast guys in the NFL. That does not translate back to 15's or NRl though, and the pay for sevens is more in line with homeless people's pay packets than NFL players. The other side of the coin in the NFL is the offensive line, where the average is over 300 pounds , you have lot ot players who are obese in this position, this is the category they get heart disease and early deaths after NFL football. You can't see these guys are in good shape. They would have a lot of muscle but thats about it. There might be the odd rugby league player sporting a tire but they still have to be fit.
BrainsTrust
Guest
You have to work a lot more in the NFL hours wise, there is a massive amount to memorise, the coaches are control freaks, they try to make sure every tiny angle is covered. Hayne had to write stuff on his arms and that was his number one concern at the time. Then the team got a new coach, then that means you have to memorise a whole new set. Paid well?The biggest issue with Hayne would have been the lack of security, if you don't make any squad you get paid nothing, if you make the practice squad only then you get paid about 100k a year, then Hayne would have probably lost his sponsors if he couldn't make the squad.
Dayer
Guest
they can be the fittest for their sport, but jeez it's such a boring game if you are born outside of USA .. its exciting when you watch the highlights... they really are "bludgers" up to 10 sections of action and then rest. yawn.
Dayer
Guest
wow america has over 300 million people and australia has 24 million.... always the crowd numbers woopi doo
Squidward
Roar Rookie
True. I'd rather live in cronulla than Green Bay in the snow
John Billiris
Roar Guru
I'm sorry but did you actually say that there is no fitness training? You're way off mate. They have some of the best athletes in the world. They're still 'fit'. It is just a different type of fitness
John Billiris
Roar Guru
Anyone who says this a 'publicity stunt' couldn't be more wrong. This was kept under wraps for a reason: players, clubs and agents did not want this to be publicized. This is in stark contrast to what Jarryd Hayne did with his massive press conference, sponsorship announcement etc
John Billiris
Roar Guru
I spoke with my scout at an NFL club and he was in fact 'drooling'
John Billiris
Roar Guru
The letter I obtained was sent by the National Football League to all Head Coaches, General Managers and Player Personnel Directors. There is a reason why teams are sending scouts to Los Angeles for their workout: they are outstanding athletes with enormous potential for success. Aside from a few fumbles, Jarryd Hayne proved that Rugby League players could make the transition to the NFL. Give them a chance
correct sometimes
Guest
and what do you think it will l be next year? why not use the current figure?
BigJ
Roar Guru
Publicity stunt, look how well things went for Jarryd Hayne. Nrl players can't be nfl players and vice versa the games are too different.
bozo
Guest
so who really cares? Seems like an extremely exciting summer holiday for a couple of kids who want media attention
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
Chop NFL running backs and wide receivers run/sprint under 11 seconds for the 100 meters - Taumalolo would not run under 12 seconds , no way he could end up in either role . Taumalolo is best suited to defense as either a line backer or defensive end - his size and aggression could be well utilized there .
spruce moose
Guest
Nah mate. Only this year they were. 11 is the usual crowd for them.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
So he's big and quick. He and about 200 others who will be entering the draft this year. What most seem not to get is that athleticism isn't the issue for these guys. Contrary to the urban legends of the super athletes of the NFL most guys playing professional Rugby, League or even AFL are equally as athletically gifted. The guys in the NFL just train specifically for there specialised roles.