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Human wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo has revealed just how close he came to joining North Queenslands next NRL finals opponent, Cronulla.The Kiwi Test star on Tuesday confirmed he had Sharks veteran Paul Gallen in his sights ahead of Friday nights preliminary final at Allianz Stadium.But Taumalolo also admitted he had Gallen in his ear during the 2015 All Stars game early last year - and very nearly signed with Cronulla as a result.An off-contract Taumalolo was at a crossroads at North Queensland when he rubbed shoulders with Gallen as part of the NRL All Stars side on the Gold Coast.Taumalolo weeks earlier had been spotted in The Shire meeting Cronulla officials before Gallen thought he would go in for the kill at the All Stars camp.I spoke to him a bit at the All Stars camp, Taumalolo said of Gallen on Tuesday.He spoke about what Cronulla is about, as any player would try to convince another to join their club.(And) negotiations were pretty good with them (Cronulla).They were talking about having someone there when Gal retires.But obviously, Gal has got a fair engine - I think he has a few more years left in him.History shows by late February 2015, Taumalolo ignored Cronullas overtures and re-signed with Cowboys until the end of 2017.Gallen might have launched a charm offensive at the 2015 All Stars camp. But Taumalolo admitted he would face a very different Gallen on Friday night after the Sharks veteran was cleared of a back complaint.And it seems Taumalolo wouldnt have it any other way after bulldozing Brisbane last week.Hes quite the opposite off the field to what he is on the field, he said.I am more worried about his on-field side on Friday night.(But) I look forward to dealing with him.Taumalolo hopes to back up from his inspirational effort in North Queenslands 26-20 extra-time semi-final win last Friday night over Brisbane.The barnstorming lock amassed an incredible 263m to make a world-class Broncos pack appear second rate.Taumalolo hoped an in-your-face Gallen again brought out the best in him.He loves the aggression - he loves the contact, he said of Gallen.He loves giving it to other players, little elbows and extra stuff in tackles.But that shouldnt effect the boys. As a team, we embrace it.Its like provoking (us). The boys are able to play more aggressive and get into the contact more. Wholesale Nike Air Max Plus . It is a cliché dragged out by fans and pundits regularly when discussions take place around which teams are better than others. Nike Air Max Plus Australia . I cant pinpoint a date, but I do remember a player from my youth. Brian Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games. http://www.wholesaleairmaxplusaustralia.com/ . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night. Nike Air Max Plus Cheap . The phone hearing is scheduled for 4:30pm et/1:30pm pt. Winchester, who was not penalized for the hit, appeared to make contact with Kellys head early in the first period of Thursdays game in Boston. Nike Air Max Plus Discount .J. Jefferson has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend.Ian Botham believes England captain Alastair Cook could play for five or six more years and challenge Sachin Tendulkars all-time Test run record. Cook, 31, became the youngest player to pass the 10,000-run mark in Englands nine-wicket victory over Sri Lanka at Durham.He still has some way to go before Tendulkars record of 15,921 runs comes into sight. Watch Cook become the first Englishman to reach 10,000 Test runs However, Botham said on Sky Sports: I think hes got a lot more runs to come yet, this is just a milestone for him. Hes 31, hes got lots of time to go. In five years, he could be chasing Sachin. Who knows?He is fit enough, strong enough, and we know how mentally tough he is. He could play for five or six more years easily. Its down to him. Its how long he wants to play for.Cook is the 12th player in history to pass 10,000 runs, and only the second opener. This is just a milestone for him. Hes 31, hes got lots of time to go. In five years, he could be chasing Sachin. Who knows? Ian Botham He is also the first Englishman to reach the mark, and Botham thinks he has been helped by his interests away from cricket.He has a young family, his farming, he enjoys country pursuits, he is quite happy to go off on his own. I think that is important, Botham said. It gives you time away from the game and you need that, you cannot do cricket 24/7.Botham also believes Cook has benefited from not playing any one-day cricket in the last few years. Cook says it was a very special moment as he reached the 10,000-run milestone His last one-day international was against Sri Lanka in December 2014, and Botham said: His best Test cricket has been when he has not been playing one-day cricket.ddddddddddddHe is so disciplined and it means he doesnt get caught between the two games. The best thing that happened to him was getting away from the one-day game. After he became the first English batsman to reach 10,000 runs, we take a look at how captain Alastair Cook reached this remarkable landmark. Also See: Cook reaches 10,000 runs England seal series win As it happened Cooks greatest knocks ' ' '