NRL 2021: Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo sidelined with a broken hand

North Queensland’s horror start to the season has suffered another major blow with star forward Jason Taumalolo facing a stint on the sidelines with a hand injury.

Jason Taumalolo. Picture: Getty Images

Jason Taumalolo is embroiled in more drama with North Queensland’s $1 million star suffering a broken hand in a crushing early-season blow for the Cowboys.

Just days after being criticised by Cowboys coach Todd Payten, Taumalolo faces a month on the sidelines after damaging his hand in a freak training mishap on Thursday morning.

Taumalolo was rushed for scans which confirmed a fracture to his hand — ruling the Cowboys’ No.1 forward out of Saturday night’s round-two clash against the Dragons in Townsville.

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It is understood the 115kg wrecking ball was involved in a regulation contact drill at Cowboys training and came off second best, with Taumalolo leaving the training paddock immediately for medical treatment.

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Jason Taumalolo played a new role for the Cowboys in round one. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The loss of Taumalolo for the next four weeks is a hammer blow for a Cowboys club desperate to return to the finals after finishing in the bottom four for three consecutive seasons.

North Queensland’s hopes of a top-eight revival won’t be helped by the reality they have lost their most damaging ball-running forward for a crucial month of the season.

The setback continues a turbulent week for Taumalolo, who was sensationally placed in the firing line by his own coach after Payten’s explosive press conference comments about him following North Queensland’s 24-0 loss to Penrith last Saturday night.

The Cowboys will decide in the coming days whether to advise Taumalolo to undergo surgery.

“The Cowboys are seeking further medical advice before deciding the appropriate course of action,” a club statement said.

“A time frame on his return will become clearer in the coming days, although Taumalolo is not expected to be sidelined for more than a month.”

Cowboys football operations chief Micheal Luck lamented Taumalolo’s setback as North Queensland look to post their first win of the season against the Dragons.

“He did it at training,” Luck said. “It was just a simple training exercise and we’ll wait for the specialists to have a look at his injury.

“It’s disappointing but it gives someone else an opportunity to step up and we’ll do our best while Jase is on the sidelines.”

Taumalolo, who regularly charges for 200 metres at his optimum, made just 55m in the Panthers defeat, prompting Payten to defend his plan to reduce the Tongan Test star’s on-field minutes this season to prevent him from burnout.

Payten came under fire for his assessment of Taumalolo’s work ethic in defence and made it clear his plan was designed to ensure the 27-year-old does not break down before the expiry of his 10-year deal in 2027.

Payten doubled down on his comments at his round-two team announcement on Tuesday, saying he has been honest with Taumalolo in pre-season about standards he is setting for the entire club.

“No regrets,” he said. “We have a long relationship, I’ve known Jason for seven years. I’ve had constant dialogue with him over the last few days.

“He knows he can be honest with me too, so it’s a two-way street. Things are fine there.”