North Queensland will persist with Jason Taumalolo as an edge second-rower with Todd Payten adamant he shouldn’t be judged on Sunday’s loss to Gold Coast.
The Cowboys’ lack of good ball limited any chance Taumalolo had to make an impact playing as a second-rower, starting there for the first time since 2014.
Taumalolo ran the ball just four times in the first half for only 14 metres, unable to give North Queensland any momentum on the left edge.
The Cowboys superstar finished the night with 106 metres from his 14 runs, even with the Cowboys still struggling for field position for most of the second half.
(Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Defensively he was caught out in the lead up to just one try, with Payten happy with his work even accounting for the four missed tackles.
Regardless the coach said he would stick with the plan of playing the wrecking ball and Heilum Luki on the edges, confident it would benefit his struggling halves.
“I’m going to see out the next few weeks,” Payten said.
“Watching our footy over the past month we just lack punch on the fringes.
“Heilum with his athleticism and Jase with his athleticism give our halves a little more time and space.
“(The Gold Coast game) is a starting point for him. Possession limits his impact on the game.
“Heilum and Jase on an edge in today’s game didn’t have the impact we would desire. But it’s something for us to build upon.”
No decision though can now save the Cowboys’ season.
They sat seventh in mid-May and looked like potential finalists, but have since given up eight straight losses.
Halfback Tom Dearden is yet to taste victory since arriving at the club from Brisbane, while they have completed poorly and missed the most tackles in the NRL.
“Consistency in our game (is an issue),” Payten said.
“There is always some part of our game not up to scratch. Tonight it was our skill execution and our decisions.
“Last week it was our energy and effort. Different weeks in the past it has been our line speed.”
In other concerns for North Queensland, both Murray Taulagi and Lachlan Burr are highly doubtful to face the Wests Tigers next week after suffering concussions.
3 R M
Guest
I was talking about simkins and Grieg and before Todd arrived we were supposedly after benji not a great start for him trying to convince him to stay. Apart from Luki,Neame and nanai Who only joined as development this year the rest played last year. Injury has crueled taumalolo's year Drinkwater is crouding him as he passes the ball its just dumb football. they have a coach?
Rob
Guest
Molo signed with Eels last year, Clifford was told to go by Green and signed well before Payton arrived. Grieg was? The speed of the game doesn’t really suit Grieg or Molo. Hess has been playing on an edge for 5 years. Todd moved Hess to the middle and he’s playing his best football in years? Who other than Holmes is playing fullback? Hammer shut down Turbo in Origin 3? Payton moved Hammer to centre but he knows he’s a 1 but the Cowboys required Hammers defence on and edge instead of Masters. Todd released McGuire and they went from 0 from 4 to win 6 from 8. Todd did the best thing for Deardon, Clifford and the Knights by releasing letting Clifford go early. That’s a hugely selfless act that many coaches wouldn’t do. Most spiteful coaches would have held Clifford back and never have the balls to bring in and back young players like Condon, Luki, Taulagi, Deardon, Gilbert and Neame. He’s won twice as many games without Taumalolo than he has with him this year?
3 R M
Guest
With his halves running backwards towards him and dragging their opposing defender's towards him no wonder he gets smashed . Every one reckons Payton can coach but I have my doubts about a coach that doesn't stop that, any one who takes a season to realise that Holmes isn't a standout fullback and Coen Hess isn't that good on the edge,but the solution is to buy more mercenaries geez. Under his watch we've already lost two of our young monsters and our half back .
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Absolutely right. Condemned to mediocrity by our choices .
Rellum
Roar Guru
There is a real risk it will take 15 years for NQ to recover from the contract choices
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Todd Payten shortening in the " First Coach Sacked 2022" market $7/$4 ?
Malo
Guest
Sit back, try not to get injured, play less minutes and enjoy the coin.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
I think that's right . The huge error we made was the length of the contract. 10 years is fairyland stuff. The Broncs will get caught with Haas as well if they go that long. We did ourselves over with Holmes ( 6 years)! and 4 years for Feldty is 2 years too . When a real talent comes along in NQ we will lose him because we have signed all these dodgy long term deals.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
This piece reminds me of the good old days, when simple people with an unsophisticated grasp of the English language would ask – Question: “What position does Johnny King play?” and the response would come back … Answer: “Edge.” Next question: “So where does Ken Irvine play then?” Answer: “The other edge.”
Rob
Guest
Taumalolo hasn’t been suited by the rule changes. Who would think you sign a player and the NRL change the rules? Taumalolo stands and fights in the tackle allowing defenders to gang tackle, he’s got limited ball playing ability, is a very average defender (never bending or using a shoulder under the ribs) with a very poor work rate in defence. He’s worth half the price of backrowers like Murray, B. Smith and others who run hard between defenders hit the ground, can ball play and put an opponent on their back 1 on 1. 6 again has magnified the weakness in his game and Taumalolo has shown little desire to make the necessary adjustments and improve.
Phil
Roar Rookie
I commented during the game that JT looked lost. He was like the new kid in the team who doesn't know all of his teammates yet. I'm no coach but if I were I would play players in their best positions, where they have proven to be most effective.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Another big warning to clubs contemplating 10 year contracts for star players. Taumololo has gone from being the most damaging middle forward in the game to being a fringe first grader in 18 months. He has barely played a decent game in the past 2 seasons. Is he carrying some sort of injury ? Is he even fit ? He barely looks interested these days. He never uses his shoulder in tackles , just grabs at players. He makes no blockbusting runs like he did in his Dally M era. His match yesterday was embarrassing for a player of once great ability. He is a big concern for the Cows with years to run on that contract ?