LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The shock decision to bench Jason Taumalolo has exposed a major issue for the Cowboys, with reports suggesting they are trying to push the star forward to look elsewhere.
Taumalolo, often referred to as "unsellable", was left out of the starting lineup for their clash against the Roosters, despite the team missing key players due to Origin commitments.
The 30-year-old, who is in the midst of a hefty ten-year contract worth a staggering $1 million per season, is only averaging 38 minutes on the field.
Coach Payten has cited concerns about Taumalolo's knee issues as the reason for managing his game time, but there seems to be some tension brewing between the player and the coaching staff.
"This stuns me.
They have six State of Origin players missing and their highest paid star can't even crack the starting lineup," remarked Fox League's James Hooper.
The situation has certainly raised eyebrows among fans and pundits, highlighting a potential rift within the team.
As the pressure mounts on Taumalolo and the Cowboys, it remains to be seen how they will navigate this challenging period.
With references to the team's glory days and iconic players of the past, the Cowboys will need to dig deep and find a way to overcome this hurdle.
Time will tell if they can turn things around and get back to winning ways.