North Queensland co-skippers Jason Taumalolo and Chad Townsend say their leadership strikes the perfect balance as they drive a Cowboys NRL revival in 2022.
Taumalolo had to bear the weight of responsibility when former co-skipper Michael Morgan retired last season but with the premiership-winning Townsend now in the fray, he says everyone understands their roles.
"Chad's experience has been a real difference this year and everyone can focus on their own job." Taumalolo said on Wednesday.
The Cowboys became the first team in 2022 to have a 90 per cent or above completion rate when they handed rivals Brisbane a 38-12 shellacking at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
Back to his rampaging best in the opening rounds, Taumalolo said the ability to focus on his own objectives and leadership style is a result of his new co-skipper's influence.
"He (Townsend) loves the limelight and that sort of thing and that's not really my go, I like to work from behind and in the shadows," he added.
"But Chad complements me well and I complement him well too."
Townsend, in his first year at the club, has enjoyed a stellar start to the season as the playmaking chief while allowing Tom Dearden to find his own groove in the halves.
The 31-year-old, who was brought in to mentor the Cowboys' young halves, has flourished as his side boasts the joint top points differential through three rounds.
And he said it's been brought about by his relationship with his fellow captain.
"It's been great to be honest, Jase and I really suit each other," Townsend said.
"Being a halfback I probably speak a lot more than he does, but I feel like we really complement each other.
"We're working well at the moment, we always want to get better as a leadership group where we can but I'm been enjoying my time working with Jase."
Following back-to-back wins over Canberra and Brisbane, North Queensland's first big test of the season awaits when the slow-starting Sydney Roosters fly north for Saturday's clash.
Coach Todd Payten has named an unchanged side from round three where young-gun Jeremiah Nanai starred with a hat-trick in just his seventh NRL game.
Townsend gave a tongue-in-cheek pitch to the club to retain the off-contract and in-demand 19-year-old's services as one of the hottest up-and-comers in the NRL.
"From experience, when you're a young kid, it's about playing where you're happy and Jeremiah's really happy at the moment you see it in the way he's playing, so it's always important for clubs to retain their local talent," Townsend said.
"I'm really excited for him, I'm happy for him and would love him to stay so, Jeremiah, stay please."
