Cowboys coach Todd Payten fires back at player unrest rumours, Cooper Cronk criticism

The Cowboys’ winless start to the season has prompted rumours of coach Todd Payten being under pressure to keep his job. Payten reveals how he’ll lead them out of trouble.

Defiant Cowboys coach Todd Payten has declared he can haul North Queensland out of their early-season form crisis in Friday night’s blockbuster against the Broncos.

The embattled Payten is under pressure to break the Cowboys’ 2025 duck in the round 3 derby clash at Suncorp Stadium after heavy losses to Manly (42-12) and Cronulla (36-12) in a dismal opening fortnight.

North Queensland made the semi-finals last season from fifth spot but have been rocked by a sloppy defensive start that has resulted in Payten’s troops conceding 78 points to be second last on percentages.

The horror opening has turned up the heat on Payten, who has been buffeted by reports of dressing-room unrest, but the former Dally M coach-of-the-year insists he is not hitting the panic button.

Todd Payten is searching for answers after the Cowboys’ winless start to the NRL season. Picture: Getty Images

THE PRESSURE

Payten is holding his nerve.

The Cowboys lost five consecutive games at one stage last season to be 12th after 10 rounds, including a 42-6 belting against the Sharks outfit that won comprehensively in Townsville last Saturday.

North Queensland famously ambushed Brisbane 38-12 in the corresponding round 3 clash in 2022 and Payten is hopeful a Broncos derby can ignite a Cowboys fightback.

“I’m aware of what my job is and what it entails,” he said.

“I’ll admit it’s not enjoyable at the moment, but I’m keeping things in perspective.

“There’s a lot of footy to be played, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. The harder you work, the luckier you become.

“My focus is on making sure I’m getting things done that helps our team. That’s my sole focus at the moment.

“I’m confident in my ability. We have been here before. We lost four or five on the trot last year and we made the finals.

“It’s our job as coaches to get them up and going again. Naturally, the disappointment is there. We understand the magnitude of this game being the derby.

“We have a couple of days of training and we’re ready to give our best.”

Cooper Cronk was critical of Paytem, suggesting the Cowboys coach can’t survive more heavy defeats early this season. Picture: Jonathan Ng

THE DRESSING ROOM

Speaking after the Cowboys’ loss last week, NRL playmaking legend and Fox League analyst Cooper Cronk made a stunning assessment of Payten, claiming the coach was in the firing line.

“I don’t think they can have another big score put against them,” the Queensland Origin legend said after the Cowboys’ second consecutive loss.

“I don’t know if Todd Payten can survive a couple more big scores.”

Payten has also weathered persistent speculation players are unhappy at the club, but the 46-year-old scoffed at suggestions of a dressing-room revolt.

“Morale gets low when you lose, it doesn’t matter which club you are at,” he said.

“Are players unhappy … my door is always open. They know that.

“We plan things weekly and that’s their chance to express anything if they feel something.

“I have an open and honest relationship with our two captains (Reuben Cotter and Tom Dearden) so if there is anything bubbling away, I would know it and I would feel it.”

THE JT FACTOR

Taumalolo’s omission for the Cowboys’ round 2 clash raised eyebrows, especially after the Tongan international turned out for Mackay in their Hostplus Cup clash against the Blackhawks last weekend.

But in a selfless act, Taumalolo opted to play second-tier football, telling Payten he wasn’t physically ready for the NRL after off-season Lisfranc surgery.

The Tongan torpedo returns this week against the Broncos and Payten backed the 31-year-old to fire at a Suncorp ground where Taumalolo has previously terrorised the Broncos.

Jason Taumalolo missed the Cowboys’ Round 2 clash against the Sharks but played for the Mackay Cutters. Picture: Alix Sweeney

“It’s huge to have Jason back,” Payten said.

“It makes everyone feel a lot more confident. He has experience. He provides a strong, solid, calm voice in the middle and he carries the ball well for us.

“It was Jason’s call (to play in the Hostplus Cup).

“Jase has good awareness and he was honest. He showed a lot of humility by putting the team first and not wanting to let anyone down.

“I watched him play on the weekend and he moved pretty well. He punched out 50-odd minutes so within himself he is confident he can get the job done.

“We are glad he is back.”

THE NANAI SHOCK

Payten dropped a selection bombshell when he axed Queensland Origin star Jeremiah Nanai after the Cowboys’ season-opening mauling against the Sea Eagles.

The classy back-rower missed four tackles and made just three runs, but after turning out for the Northern Pride, Nanai has won a recall on the bench for the Broncos blockbuster.

Cowboys star Jeremiah Nanai was a surprise axing for round two, but has been recalled after a week in Queensland Cup. Picture: Getty Images

Suncorp is a happy hunting ground for ‘Air Nanai’ – the 22-year-old sensation scored a memorable hat-trick in the Cowboys’ 38-12 derby win three years ago.

Payten explained why Nanai was a shock demotion for round 2 and said he copped his axing on the chin.

“Jeremiah was not winning enough of his involvements in defence,” he said.

“The ruck speed got quick around him (against Manly) and there was too many tries. There is an expectation with our better players, they are rep stars and they are our consistent guys.

“Jeremiah wasn’t in the team last week, but he copped it. He was very disappointed and he went back and worked hard.

“He played pretty well (for the Pride) and he knows what is clearly expected of him.

“He can add a bit of spark to us off the bench this week.”

Halfback Jake Clifford has been recalled to the Cowboys team for Round 3 in place of youngster Tom Duffy. Picture: Getty Images

THE CHANGES

Payten has shaken-up his halves in pursuit of the Cowboys’ first win of 2025, dropping rookie Tom Duffy and recalling the more experienced Jake Clifford, who started at halfback in last year’s finals.

Clifford is on the comeback trail from injury and Payten says the 27-year-old has the experience to form a winning alliance with Dearden in their scrumbase shootout with Broncos big guns Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds.

“It’s a different combination among the team and I guess some of those have been exposed at different times,” he said.

“Jake was able to get a game under his belt in Q Cup, he is a bigger body (than Duffy), has a good kick and is a good tackler, so it’s a tough one for ‘Duff’.

“He had a couple of games, but we haven’t gone well and there’s some tough lessons for him.

“Jake has come back into the team this week and he’s excited.

“The first week we simply didn’t have any ball (against Manly) and the second week, our goalline ‘D’ (defence) under pressure failed.

“We have to work to fix that and trust each other.

“Attention to detail under fatigue is hard, but we have to get it done this week against the Broncos.”

Originally published as Cowboys coach Todd Payten fires back at player unrest rumours, Cooper Cronk criticism