NRL 2021: Jason Taumalolo sweet with Cowboys coach Todd Payten after criticism
Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo insists there is no bad blood between him and new coach Todd Payten and maintains he is committed to his lifetime deal at the club.
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Underfire Jason Taumalolo insists he is not at loggerheads with new Cowboys coach Todd Payten and is totally committed to his $10 million lifetime deal with North Queensland.
Payten sent shockwaves through the NRL last week with his no-nonsense appraisal of Taumalolo’s defensive standards in the Cowboys’ 24-0 loss to Penrith in the season opener last week.
The rookie mentor also defended his tactical deployment of Taumalolo, who will have his game time reduced this season and beyond under Payten’s strategic plan to prevent his No.1 forward from burnout in the latter half of his career.
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To compound a forgettable week for Taumalolo, the former Dally M medallist suffered a broken hand in a training mishap just days after the Penrith loss — ruling him out for the next month.
There were fears Payten’s no-holds-barred first-up address could spark a bitter rift with the softly-spoken Taumalolo but the Cowboys co-captain has broken his silence to declare there is no bad blood with his new coach.
“I have no problems at all with Todd, there’s no issue between us,” said Taumalolo, a late scratching for Saturday night’s clash against the Dragons.
“It’s good to see him challenge me. What he said was right.
“Me and Toddy are sweet. I have known him for quite a few years, he was here when we won the premiership (as an assistant coach in 2015) and we have always had straight words with each other.
“Despite what everyone is saying, I have no issue getting feedback or criticism and I like the fact Todd is prepared to be honest with us and we are honest with him as well.”
As a firestorm of analysis from the NRL fraternity raged around them, Taumalolo said Payten sounded him out at training to ensure there was no tension.
“We spoke earlier in the week to make sure we were on the same page,” he said.
“Todd asked me if I was OK with his comments and I told him I was totally sweet, I didn’t take offence at all.
“I’ve had other sprays in my career from other coaches. I’ve had worse sprays actually, so this doesn’t affect our relationship at all.
“I totally understand why he did it. The reality is I’m not going to get any better if everyone around me is just patting me on the back.
“I know when I’ve had a bad game and that weekend was one of them. I put my hand up in our analysis of the game and owned up to my defensive mistakes, so hopefully that attitude rubs off on others and improves us as a club.
“I am co-captain of the Cowboys so I have to accept that comes with being a leader and it makes me accountable.
“It’s something we probably didn’t have in the past, so a bit of honesty doesn’t hurt.”
Taumalolo holds the longest contract in NRL history, secured to the Cowboys until the end of 2027. The $1 million man scuppered any suggestion further criticism from Payten could trigger thoughts of leaving the club for a fresh start.
The 27-year-old also addressed Payten’s plan for him to play fewer minutes this season, pointing to the most destructive season of his career of 2015, when he averaged 49 minutes per game in the Cowboys’ title win.
“I’m committed to the club and my contract,” he said.
“This club has done a lot for me and I want to see this club back playing finals footy again. The sooner we do that the better and the only way we will improve is if we are accountable and honest with each other.
“It’s not a shock at all to be playing less minutes. I played less minutes the year we won the premiership. Todd is coming from a good place with it, he wants to look after me and make sure I don’t burn out and that’s something I need to consider as I get older.
“The NRL is such a brutal sport and it does take a toll on your body. I appreciate that Todd is prepared to look after my welfare.”
Taumalolo has been buoyed by news he won’t require surgery on his busted right hand and expects to return before round six.
“I’ll be watching for the next month on the sidelines but hopefully the guys can step up and do the job,” he said. “I took a carry at training and my hand got caught in between two defenders, it was one of those freak accidents to happen.
“I will be out for a minimum of two to four weeks. I hope the bone heals quicker and I could be back sooner than that, but I won’t rush it.
“The doctor gave me the option of having an operation or just letting it heal naturally.
“I was worried about complications with tendons in my hand, so I just decided to rest it without surgery.”
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