"What I've seen him put his body through last year, particularly with a couple of rounds to go, I haven't seen that before," Payten said.
"It was Jordan McLean's last match for the club, and his front-row partner Jase, was busted. On Tuesday, I was certain he wasn't going to be able to play, just with the way he was getting around the building.
"He didn't train, and even halfway through the captain's run I was pretty sceptical that he'd be able to manage, but he got himself up."
That tenacity is something Taumalolo has shown throughout his career, and he'll be celebrated for it when he becomes the first Cowboys player to feature in 300 NRL games against Penrith on Saturday in Townsville.
Having debuted in 2010, the veteran prop has enjoyed a glittering career, winning the 2015 premiership, sharing the 2016 Dally M Medal with Melbourne Storm's Cooper Cronk, and rediscovering his elite form this season as the Cowboys push for a top-eight finish.
But one thing the 33-year-old hasn't yet achieved is winning one of his milestone matches, after losing on his debut and then in his 50th, 100th, 150th, 200th and 250th games.
Payten is intent on breaking that hoodoo.
"He's put his body through a fair bit of pressure and fatigue and torture over the years, and he's closer to the end than the beginning," Payten said.
"But he's an important part of our club, and we've got an opportunity (on Saturday) to send him off as a winner.
"I've spoken to him, and he tries to play it down, like it's just another game, but it's not."
The Cowboys will be buoyed by the fact the Panthers have won just 54.5 per cent of games against them since 2020, their lowest win rate in that period against any opponent.
With the clash expected to be a sellout, and with the King and Princess of Tonga in attendance, Penrith's task on the emotionally charged occasion will be tough.
The Panthers also come into the match following a shock 19-18 loss to Gold Coast last Saturday.
But Penrith will be boosted by the return of State of Origin stars Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Brian To'o, who were kept on ice last round.
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