NRL 2022: Jason Taumalolo’s manager confirms mass interest in star from rival clubs

The rumours won’t go away that Jason Taumalolo’s time at North Queensland could come to an end. Could he be headed to Sydney for a massive career change?

Up to six NRL clubs have begun circling Cowboys enforcer Jason Taumalolo.

The clubs willing to prize the under-used superstar includes at least two Sydney teams and two interstate teams. Wayne Bennett‘s Dolphins are also on the public record with a desire to sign the $10 million man.

The revelation will rock the Cowboys who are trying desperately to expel any suggestion the club‘s greatest investment in their history is unhappy and wants out of Townsville.

News Corp can reveal the Kiwi and Tongan International‘s management team have fielded a multitude of inquiries over the past 10 days from rival clubs amid a maelstrom of conjecture surrounding Taumalolo’s relationship with Cowboys head coach Todd Payten.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free In Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.

Speculation won’t stop about Jason Taumalolo’s Cowboys future.

“Wherever he does go - and he’s going to have to go soon, because you can’t drag things on like this - he’s going to be valuable,’’ former Test winger Jharal Yow Yeh said this week.

“I don’t know where he goes or what he gets paid, but I think Jase needs to remember why he started playing the game as well.

“It’s not always for the money. I think if they (Cowboys and Taumalolo) make an agreement, they’ll be better off for it.’’

Fox League‘s Matty Johns added on Friday night: “You just know there is something wrong, you just know there’s something amiss.”

Taumalolo, 28, is heading into his fifth year of his massive 10-year $10 million contract in North Queensland.

Once regarded as the no.1 forward in the game, Taumalolo‘s form has nose-dived due to a rapid decline in playing-time under Payten.

His agent, Chris Orr, confirmed a slew of clubs had made overtures in his star client.

Are Jason Taumalolo's days in North Queensland numbered?
The boys on the Neds #NRL Punting Podcast weigh in on the Cowboys $10 million man.
LISTEN NOW WITH - @JaredTimms,@ChrisGarry7 and @Jharalyowyeh5

🎧 APPLE - https://t.co/8SublqeMDE
🎧 SPOTIFY - https://t.co/FVY4U8Yktgpic.twitter.com/c0UTsmXgeL

— Neds (@NedsAus) March 18, 2022

“There have been five or six clubs ringing me instantly asking if he‘s available because of the speculation,’’ Orr said. “But Jason has given me no indication he wants out.

“If he went onto the open market tomorrow, I would have all 16 clubs chasing him.

“To suggest he is past it, is ridiculous. He is only 28, he has another five years in the game easily and he is still one of the best forwards in the game.

“I’ve had the conversation with my client in the last few days and Jason is not unhappy.

“I’m not sure where this constant talk is coming from, but it’s not the case that Jason and the coach don’t see eye to eye.

“It was his first game back on the weekend after injury in the pre-season and he said he was out of breath at times. He is still getting back to full fitness, but he said he can‘t wait to get on the field this year.

“Last year was so disruptive for him. He had three broken hands, a busted rib, he then got a slight hammy tear in the trials so he just needs to get some continuity in his game.

“People say the contract isn‘t working out at the Cowboys ... do people realise North Queensland have no interest in releasing him?’’

Jason Taumalolo spent plenty of time with the rehab group in 2021. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Wests Tigers would be one club that could use Taumalolo‘s go-forward and leadership while Newcastle have a strong connection to the tearaway forward with their head of recruitment Clint Zammit signing him to the Cowboys when he was 13.

Last week, Cowboys coach Todd Payten opened up to News Corp about his relationship with Taumalolo after Broncos legend Corey Parker called for North Queensland to sever ties with the 2016 Dally M champion.

“I can tell you now, we won’t be releasing Jase,” Payten said.“People have to understand Jason had to start the season over four times last year. He broke his hand three times and had a two-week suspension, so it was frustrating for him.

“Jase‘s minutes were not cut that dramatically last year, but all rugby league players play their best when they have continuity from a week-to-week point of view.’’

WHICH CLUBS CAN AFFORD TO SIGN JT?

BRONCOS

No. The Broncos have outlaid big bucks to sign Adam Reynolds and Kurt Capewell and retain Kotoni Staggs. They have their own version of Taumalolo in 118kg wrecking ball Payne Haas.

SHARKS

No. Flush with middle forwards for 2023, including Dale Finucane, Cam McInnes, Toby Rudolf and Oregon Kaufusi. Jack Williams and Braden Uele are also in negotiations to re-sign.

TITANS

No. Gold Coast’s strength is their pack. They are flush with middle forwards, including Maroons prop Mo Fotuaika, and forked out millions to keep fellow Queensland Origin hulk Tino Fa’asuamaleaui on a long-term deal.

PANTHERS

No. Premierships cruel your salary cap and the Panthers have to try and re-sign big guns Stephen Crichton, Liam Martin, and Brian To’o before the end of 2023.

DRAGONS

Maybe. They would need to swap or move a significant player from their cap. However, coach Anthony Griffin is a believer that you can never have too many quality forwards.

SEA EAGLES

Yes. Manly are about to have money to spend with Marty Taupau ($850,000) and Kieran Foran ($650,000) off contract and Dylan Walker (Warriors) leaving.

ROOSTERS

Maybe. Edging closer towards needing a new enforcer in their pack with Siosiua Taukeiaho headed for Catalans next year and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves off-contract at the end of 2023.

EELS

No. Already paying big money towards their pack with Junior Paulo, Nathan Brown and Regan Campbell-Gillard, not to mention the cap space taken by Mitchell Moses, Clint Gutherson, Dylan Brown and Maika Sivo.

TIGERS

Yes, in desperate need of a leader in their pack. Co-captain James Tamou will finish up at the club this year, while Luciano Leilua (Cowboys) and Kelma Tuilagi (Sea Eagles) are also leaving.

RAIDERS

No. Would need the Cowboys to chip-in significantly and have nine players off-contract before the end of 2023, including key figures Joe Tapine, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstaad and Jordan Rapana.

RABBITOHS

No. Not when you already have Damien Cook, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray, Cody Walker, Campbell Graham and Keaon Koloamatangi in your salary cap.

STORM

No. Melbourne‘s only focus is re-signing big guns Cameron Munster, Jarome Hughes and Harry Grant.

BULLDOGS

Maybe. Given the pressure on the Dogs for success, it would be crazy to rule Cantebury out. Would the Cowboys be interested in swapping Luke Thompson for Taumalolo?

DOLPHINS

Yes. Wayne Bennett has gone public with his interest in signing Taumalolo, if he becomes available.

KNIGHTS

Yes. Because Clint Zammit, the man who discovered Taumalolo, is now working as the head of recruitment at the Knights. A lot would depend on if Kalyn Ponga decides to re-sign.

WARRIORS

Yes. In need of leadership in their pack and have Matt Lodge, Bunty Afoa and Ben Murdoch-Masila off-contract at the end of 2023.

Originally published as NRL 2022: Jason Taumalolo’s manager confirms mass interest in star from rival clubs