‘One needs to go’: NRL great’s explosive Taumalolo call

A former NRL star has suggested rival clubs are sniffing around Jason Taumalolo declaring his future with the Cowboys “can’t last”.

Jason Taumalolo and Todd Payten. Photo: Ian Hitchcock, Getty.

Rumours and speculation surrounding the future of Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo are swirling again after North Queensland’s loss to the Bulldogs in Round 1.

Taumalolo’s future with the Cowboys — and his relationship with coach Todd Payten — dominated off-season headlines in Townsville, including reports the pair had fallen out.

Entering the mid-point of the famous, 10-year, $10 million deal he signed with the Cowboys, the NRL was shocked last year when Payten suggested he was not getting enough impact from Taumalolo when playing the wrecking ball for the entire 80 minutes.

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Taumalolo has previously spoken about his desire to remain on the field for the entirety of matches this season and said just a few weeks ago his body was ready to return to his previous role of playing all 80 minutes at lock.

He had his minutes reduced significantly in 2021 and Payten continued that trend in Sunday’s loss to Canterbury where Taumalolo finished with 136m gained in 51 minutes of playing time.

Former Queensland State of Origin star Ben Te’o has now declared Taumalolo and Payten’s relationship appears to be untenable.

Jason Taumalolo rides the pine. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images.

Payten and Taumalolo both spoke publicly during pre-season to deny rumours of a rift, but that hasn’t stopped the speculation.

Te’o said the writing is on the wall — and believes either the coach or the star forward will soon be leaving the club.

“It started off at the start of last year with Todd Payten coming out in one of his first press conferences and sort of criticising Taumalolo and that sort of rumour has never gone away really,” Te’o said on Triple M’s The Rush Hour.

“The fact that he is on limited minutes, he is on a big multi-year contract of a million dollars, something is going to have to give there because at the moment Todd’s not playing him enough minutes.

“Maybe he doesn’t trust Jason on the field for that long, something needs to happen, one needs to go maybe.”

Te’o said he expects rival clubs are sniffing around and believes the Cowboys could even be forced to pay some of his wages at a rival club — in order to take Taumalolo’s contract out of their salary cap jumble.

“All the teams out there should be looking at that situation and maybe the Cowboys will want to move him on at some stage,” Te’o said.

Jason Taumalolo and Todd Payten. Photo: Ian Hitchcock, Getty.

“I don’t think it is going to last, and they can come out in the media and say, ‘No we are fine with Jason, he is staying here to see out his deal’ — but when they get a good offer and both parties are happy I reckon you will see him move on go to another team.

“Cowboys will have to chip in a bit of cash to make it work and that’s how the world goes around in the NRL.”

NRL great Braith Anasta last year also said he couldn’t believe Payten’s tactic of cutting back Taumalolo’s minutes.