LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In the latest chapter of NRL drama, North Queensland Cowboys' Jason Taumalolo has found himself in hot water following his team's disastrous loss to Cronulla.
NRL icon Darren Lockyer wasted no time in calling out Taumalolo and his fellow Cowboys forwards after their humiliating defeat at the hands of the ladder-topping Sharks.
Taumalolo, a former Dally M Medal winner, has been benched by coach Todd Payten for the upcoming showdown against Penrith as punishment for the team's lackluster performance.
The hefty price tag attached to Taumalolo's 10-year, $10 million contract has raised eyebrows, with critics questioning whether the Cowboys are getting their money's worth from the star player.
Despite his impressive past achievements, Taumalolo's on-field contributions have declined in recent years, with his playing time dwindling and key performance metrics suffering as a result.
With only 35 minutes per game on average this season, Taumalolo has lost his starting spot to Griffin Neame, adding fuel to the fire surrounding his hefty salary.
As the Cowboys struggle to make sense of Taumalolo's underperformance, Payten faces a tough decision on how to maximize the impact of his highest-paid player.
With three more years left on his deal and finals hopes hanging in the balance, the pressure is on Taumalolo to step up and deliver for his team in the 2024 season.