Eels recruit Kelepi Tanginoa gives Cowboys a two-pronged attack with Jason Taumalolo Kelepi Tanginoa in action for the Eels Under 20s. He will be a Cowboy in 2015. AS if the sight of one Jason Taumalolo isn't terrifying enough, the Cowboys now have two powerhouse runners. With the club moving to secure Taumalolo to an extended deal, North Queensland are set to unleash another back-row wrecking ball in the form of Eels recruit Kelepi Tanginoa. Still just 20, Tanginoa has been added to the Cowboys" full-time squad, drawing comparisons with Taumalolo with his 102kg frame and explosive bursts on the fringes. Tariq Sims's off-season departure to Newcastle has created a back-row vacancy and Cowboys coach Paul Green says the former Parramatta hulk has surged into contention for an NRL berth. Kelepi Tanginoa trains with the Cowboys at the Townsville Sports Reserve. "He's got a lot of potential, he's training the house down," Green said as the Cowboys embark on a torturous three-day camp in Cairns. Kelepi has turned up in great condition and he's fitted in well with the boys. I'm really excited with what he might do for us next year. He was a standout player in the under-20s competition last year and hopefully he can continue that progression for us. He's a different body shape, he's well put together and has a good rig on him. We've lost Tariq so there is an edge back-row spot up for grabs. Kelepi and Ethan Lowe will battle it out, so we'll see who comes out looking best in pre-season. Cowboy Jason Taumalolo in action. Such is Tanginoa's talent, he made his first grade debut for the Eels as a 19-year-old in 2013. The 180cm powerhouse went on to play 13 NRL games for Parramatta and represented NSW in the under-20s State of Origin clash last year. Kiwi Test star Taumalolo, 21, was a revelation for the Cowboys last season and football manager Peter Parr believes Tanginoa can have a similar impact. "No-one knows too much about him, but he's like another Jason Taumalolo," Parr said. We've added Kelepi to our full-time squad and he's a gun, he's definitely got the potential to be playing NRL this year. He reminds me a lot of Taumalolo. We're being patient with Kelepi but he's an explosive player. When Tariq Sims was leaving for Newcastle, we were looking around for someone who could do a similar job and Kelepi fits the bill. He's already got some NRL experience and from what I've seen, he's capable of breaking through this season. Originally published as Kelepi gives Cowboys double the power