Jason Taumalolo’s trainwreck presser interrupted over vaccination questions

A Cowboys staffer was forced to intervene as Jason Taumalolo continually refused to answer questions about his vaccination status.

Jason Taumalolo was caught in a tricky position.

North Queensland captain Jason Taumalolo has refused to answer questions about his vaccination status as a press conference turned into a trainwreck.

The NRL star told the Courier Mail this week he has the “green light to play in round one” after the publication reported he was the only Cowboys player yet to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

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Taumalolo — one of the most destructive players in rugby league who is on a monster $10 million deal — received a warning letter from his club indicating his contract may be in jeopardy if he is unable to fulfil his duties because of Covid-related issues.

Anyone entering a major sports stadium in Queensland must be vaccinated and last week Cowboys coach Todd Payten said his captain was Covid “compliant”. But in a bizarre exchange with reporters on Tuesday, Taumalolo refused to confirm whether he had received the jab, insisting it was his right to keep his medical information private.

“My medical information, that’s purely because, I’d like that private, so I won’t be answering any more questions about my medical information,” he said.

Fans must be vaccinated to attend Cowboys home games and when asked if he had a message for them over questions about transparency, Taumalolo said: “I can’t answer that, sorry mate.”

The damaging forward was then asked whether he would be able to travel internationally at the end of the year to compete for Tonga in the World Cup.

“I haven’t looked that far ahead, and at this time I won’t be answering any questions about my medical information,” he said.

After saying he was able to play round one, Taumalolo was asked if he was eligible to play the entire NRL season, given there are different vaccination rules for different parts of the country.

Jason Taumalolo is keeping things close to his chest. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“I’ll be playing the NRL season. I’m not gonna harp on about exemptions and injections and what not, so whatever I do to my body, that’s my information but what I know is I’ll be playing Round 1 and that’s all that matters,” he said.

When reporters continued to press the 28-year-old on vaccination matters, a Cowboys staffer at the press conference jumped in.

“Let’s move onto some footy,” he said.

A journalist responded by saying reporters have “a right to ask some of these questions” before the staffer hit back.

“His beliefs are what they are, and he’s going to repeat the same thing every time because that’s what he strongly believes, and the club firmly believes that as well,” he said.

“You’re going to have to talk to him numerous times throughout the year, I think it’s time to show him a bit of respect for how he’s been treated throughout this situation.”

The presser caused quite a stir on social media. Townsville Bulletin deputy editor Chris McMahon tweeted: “Absolutely bizarre scenes, gets put up for a press conference, doesn’t answer questions. Taumalolo might have a future in politics - deflect and stay on message. If I was a shareholder, I’d probably like to know where my $1m a year is going and if it’s a smart investment.”

AAP journalist George Clarke wrote: “This is an omnishambles for the Cowboys. Club captain and best-paid player refuses to answer perfectly acceptable questions before staffer leaps to his defence.”

Reporter Fraser Barton called the media opportunity a “trainwreck”.