By Christian Nicolussi
Three physiotherapists aligned with NRL clubs and an experienced chief medical officer were all satisfied Tongan giant Jason Taumalolo was fit to take the field against Australia in the Pacific Championships final, despite having an undiagnosed broken foot.
The Cowboys workhorse could now miss the opening month of the NRL season after undergoing Lisfranc surgery. It comes as the club confirmed back-rower Heilum Luki ruptured his ACL at training on Saturday and will miss the entire 2025 season.
North Queensland officials confirmed Taumalolo had broken his foot a week before the Pacific Championships final in a Test against New Zealand. They quickly asked the NRL for a “please explain” as to how Tonga had failed to identify such a serious injury.
Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly told this masthead the Cowboys had also asked why they should release players for international duty in future.
The Taumalolo situation was similar to what happened with South Sydney skipper Cameron Murray, who carried a wrist injury into a Test against New Zealand, only for scans to later confirm he required surgery and up to five months recovery. On that occasion, Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said there was no reason to rest Murray because he did not raise significant concerns about the injury.
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf, however, told to this masthead on Saturday: “The way our medical staff treated the situation with Jason is exactly how they would have looked after him in the NRL. They had nothing but care for Jason. And after speaking with Jason, he feels the same way.”
Taumalolo told Tongan officials his foot was sore, and the medical team conducted several tests to ensure he was fit. He also completed most of the first training session leading into the final, then finished the main session and captain’s run at full intensity.
Jason Taumalolo was at his imperious best against New Zealand, but suffered an undiagnosed foot injury during the clash.Credit: Getty Images
Tonga later received assurances from the Cowboys medical team they had no concerns with the way the injury was handled.
Woolf heaped praise on Taumalolo and his toughness and how he somehow played more than 50 minutes with the broken foot.
“They don’t come much tougher than Jason, and he’s played a number of times now with injuries that other men wouldn’t play with,” Woolf said.
“I’ve never seen a bloke play with injuries like Jason does. I don’t know how he got through the work he did if he was in so much pain and discomfort. What it shows you is how much playing for Tonga means to him. Jason is one of the toughest players I’ve worked with.”
Taumalolo and Woolf have played pivotal roles in transforming Tonga into an international league powerhouse. Tongans made up most of the crowd at a sold-out CommBank Stadium for the final on November 10.
For the Cowboys, losing Taumalolo for any amount of time is a huge blow, especially given the form he was in at the end of last season, and with the experience he brings to a team now missing Chad Townsend, Kyle Feldt, Jake Granville and now Luki.
Adding insult to injury was the timing. Clubs can receive up to $350,000 in salary-cap relief if a player misses at least 12 weeks through an injury suffered while on representative duty. Because Taumalolo, a $900,000-a year-marquee player, will be sidelined through the summer, and only miss a handful of games, the Cowboys will receive no compensation.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten confirmed Taumalolo suffered the injury against the Kiwis, and was naturally disappointed he would be missing his forwards leader the first few rounds, which includes Manly away, Cronulla at home, then the blockbuster Broncos’ Queensland derby at Suncorp Stadium in round three.
“I don’t know if his injury was handled well, at all. It was only diagnosed after the Championships, and once he had been in Townsville for over a week – to only find out then was really disappointing,” Payten said on Friday.
“Jase knew he was sore, and I still don’t know how he played the way he did with that injury. He wasn’t even strapped up. His toughness is unbelievable.
“It’s a shame because Jase has worked really hard to get his body right, I thought the back end of last season was really strong, and his form in the Pacific Championships was great.
“To lose someone like him with his influence for us, it’s really disappointing. It’s important he gets himself right post-Christmas. He won’t be out for an extended period, but he’ll miss at least the first few games of the season.”
Meanwhile, Payten said new recruit John Bateman could play in the back row or middle, and his experience would be even more crucial with Luki sidelined.
Bateman still had two years to run on his deal at the Wests Tigers, with the Sydney club to still bankroll a healthy portion of his Townsville move.
“What he does is bring competition for spots,” Payten said.
“And I just love the way he plays his footy. He’s abrasive, competitive, and through my conversations with him, the over-riding feeling I’ve got is that he wants to win – and he’ll almost do anything to get win. He’ll be a good fit for our group.”