The Cowboys are looking to hold on to their top-eight position when they meet Cronulla on Friday, and once again Taulagi's hot form is key to them achieving their goal.

The 22-year-old, who is experiencing his longest stretch of first grade, has been scoring vital tries in the Cowboys' mid-season revival.

Taulagi's power and speed has surprised opposition, with the club's leading try-scorer and winger modelling his game around some of the NRL's best.

"Wingers like Ken Maumalo (ex-Warriors now Wests Tigers), some of those guys that have similar size and just run real hard I've been watching them and then just trying to learn off them from their style of play," he told AAP.

"Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, while I don't have the step ... I enjoy watching him and the way he carries the ball."

Taulagi's combination with halfback Scott Drinkwater has become a weapon on the left edge, with him now inside the NRL's top eight for tries scored, many of which have come from the boot of Drinkwater.

He has scored 10 times in just 11 appearances, with Drinkwater providing 13 assists to sit third in the NRL.

But Taulagi says he isn't phased by numbers and his primary concern is to be a consistent name on the team sheet every week.

"I'm just lucky enough to be scoring off the end of Drinky (Scott Drinkwater) and Val (Holmes), who set me up," he said.

"They've been doing the hard work for me and I'm just lucky enough to finish for them.

"All I want to do is cement my spot in the team but not feel comfortable at the same time, so I don't slack off on things."

The Cowboys are hoping to put to bed a horror early-season result against Cronulla in the return fixture on Friday.

Todd Payten's men were humbled 48-10 in round two by the Sharks, but boast a five-game winning streak at home.

Payten says a combination of a strong home crowd and succinct defensive plan to counter Cronulla's playmakers is essential to maintaining that streak.

"They've (the crowd) had an influence at different times through different games and they have played their part in a lot of our wins," said Payten.

"We've put a bit of focus on (Cronulla's) halves, their back five get their sets rolling and they throw a lot of shape and different variations close to our try line.

"Their hooker is good, smart player, and we're going to have to be good across the park."

Australian Associated Press