Following Jason Taumalolo’s 22 minute Round 1 display, major questions have been raised about the $950,000 middle forward’s longevity in the NRL.
The Australian’s Brent Read revealed he’s spoken to Cowboys officials who explained the veteran enforcer was being preserved so he’s fit and firing for the full 2024 campaign.
The 30-year-old signed his record-breaking deal in 2017 and his current contract extends until the end of the 2027 season.
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But now, with his statistics dropping off over the last three campaigns, the Cowboys have been urged to clear his salary off their cap.
Taumalolo’s minutes dropped from 61 in 2020 to only 49 in 2023, while his run metres per game sunk 64 minutes across that same period. He also breaks two less tackles per game and his post-contact metres have reduced by 24.
“Todd spoke about this when he first got there, about trying to preserve him when he first got there because 10 year deals are pretty much madness in rugby league,” NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent said.
“Given how brutal the game is on your body, Daly Cherry-Evans was given an eight-year deal and it has come up roses for the Sea Eagles.
“Season after season he’s been worth every dollar. The difference with Taumalolo is he’s a middle forward which is much more taxing on your body than a playmaker.
“Over time as stats are showing the trend is heading downwards, if this continues he’s going to have fairly average statistics.”
The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio explained that the Cowboys may be forced to move Taumalolo on this year, with his stocks rapidly dropping.
North Queensland could then use his salary to re-sign a number of players who need new deals including Heilum Luki, Reuben Cotter and Reece Robson.
“They need to make a decision and look at what does Taumalolo look like in 2027, and what are we getting for $1 million in 2027,” Riccio said.
“You need to be able to sell players too and right now Taumalolo is sellable and another club would pick him up.
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“But in 2025, or 2026 or 2027 when you’re paying him a $1 million you could be left with a lemon.”
Kent also likened the Cowboys’ Taumalolo situation to that of boxing legend Mike Tyson, who lost three of his last four fights.
“I don’t know how much he’s being preserved and how much is actually left in the tank when they get him off the field,” Kent said.
“Maybe Todd Payten is trying to look after him by saying he’s preserving him when in fact he just doesn’t have the output anymore than he did five years ago.
“People talk about Mike Tyson, young and explosive, but a lot of good boxing judges said the problem with him is his style, it’s a young man’s style and we saw than in his career.
“Taumalolo is a young man’s style, the way he came into the game with the barnstorming runs, he was doing things no middle forward in the game was doing at the time.
“But his body is catching up to him a little bit so Payten has had no choice but to preserve him a bit.”
“The problem with him, it’s like Schuster, they are paying him I think $950,000 and he’s playing 21 minutes. Talk about justifying your salary,” Read added.
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