Murray Taulagi

Murray Taulagi was born in Auckland, New Zealand and played Rugby Union at an early age before moving to Brisbane in 2011. Taulagi attended school at the Brisbane State High School, where he was eventually spotted by the Cowboys playing in the GPS Rugby competition.

Taulagi relocated to Townsville in 2017 and joined the North Queensland Cowboys Under 20s squad. During his time with the Cowboys U20s, Taulagi was selected in the Queensland U18s side.

In 2018, Taulagi became a regular on the wing for the Northern Pride scoring nine tries in 19 games with the side. Taulagi was rewarded for his form and was later selected in the Queensland U20s side that featured fellow Maroons players AJ Brimson, Harry Grant, Thomas Flegler, and Tino Fa’asuamealeaui. Taulagi finished the year with selection on the wing for the Junior Kangaroos.

The following season Taulagi continued to play in the Hostplus Cup via Cowboys feeder club Townsville Blackhawks. Later in the season Taulagi made his NRL debut for the Cowboys against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Taulagai would play a further 4 games for the Cowboys in 2020, before becoming a regular addition in the side in 2021.

"I remember watching the warmup for Game I, and it felt like I was ready to play myself"

Murray Taulagi FOG #226

2022 saw a breakout year for Taulagi who scored 17 tries in 25 games for the Cowboys. The Cowboys winger earned himself a Queensland Maroons debut in Game II of the State of Origin series in Perth, before being ruled out with Covid-19 in Game III. Later that year Taulagi was selected in the Kangaroos World Cup squad and made his debut scoring two tries against Italy in week 3 of the competition.

The following year Taulagi cemented himself as one of the competition's more consistent wingers and played himself into a Maroons jersey for the Origin series where he played all three games. Taulagi capped off another big season electing to represent Samoa over Australia in the Pacific Championships.

Taulagi enjoyed a strong 2024 season, scoring 11 tries in 18 games for the Cowboys. He featured in two games for the Maroons during the State of Origin series, crossing for one try. Post-season, Taulagi was selected to represent Samoa in the international match against England, alongside his Cowboys and Maroons teammate Jeremiah Nanai.