Queensland rugby league greats Darren Lockyer and Wally Lewis have both conceded Jason Taumalolo‘s monster contract has left the Cowboys in an awkward position, with the superstar lock’s future in North Queensland a topic of debate.
Talk of Taumalolo’s future at the Cowboys has swirled in recent weeks, with rumours of a strained relationship with coach Todd Payten, while at the same time a change to his regular playing time that started last season has continued to raise eyebrows.
Taumalolo failed to have much impact during the Cowboys’ round one loss to the Bulldogs due to limited minutes and a switch from lock to prop, but responded with a standout performance in North Queensland’s win over the Raiders back in his regular position.
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During that win, the 2015 premiership winner ran for 161 metres from 14 carries, with 70 of those being post-contact, per NRL.com stats. He also busted through for two tackle breaks.
But with Taumalolo’s future currently a topic of interest among NRL fans, Lockyer was queried on whether the NRL’s incoming 17th franchise, the Dolphins, would be a suitable destination
“If you look at the recruitment of the Dolphins, Wayne already got some experienced forwards there,” Lockyer told Wide World of Sports’ QLDER.
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“If he was looking for a key signing beyond those, it’s probably a playmaker. I would be saving my money for that.
“He’s a quality player, there’s no doubt about that. It was a risk to the Cowboys when they signed him for 10 years at one million dollars a year.
“That’s a long time for a lock-forward to continually bring out performances that we’re used to for a decade.”
The wrecking-ball forward is currently tied up on a 10-year, $10 million contract until the end of 2027.
It was a contract that Lewis admits still surprises him today.
“We’re talking about the Dolphins at the moment, but there are probably a couple of other clubs in the competition that feel as though they need a power runner,” Lewis added.
“They (Cowboys) wanted to sign him long term, but I think the answers they got from management was that if you’re going to do that then you’re going to pay up big.
“It was probably a great surprise [Taumalolo’s contract].
“[At the time] I had certainly never heard of a contract of that length in rugby league.
“You probably expect to see three of five years at the absolute most.”
Lockyer said it’s up to Taumalolo, the 2016 Dally M Medal winner, to work with Payten on getting back to his usual dominance.
“No one’s knocking what Jason Taumalolo can do on the footy field,” Lockyer said.
“But it was a unique deal and one that along the way was going to have some questions asked.
“We’re asking questions now.
“We don’t know for sure, but If there are some communications issues with the coach, if they can work it out and he plays his best football, the money is worth it.”
Taumalolo isn’t the only star at the Cowboys on big-money, with Valentine Holmes currently on a six-year deal worth that’s reportedly worth in the ballpark of $1 million per season.
Holmes joined the Cowboys in 2020 following his stint in the NFL with the New York Jets.
With the two big-name players on lucrative contracts, Lockyer conceded it may start to “diminish” the Cowboys’ hopes of luring more players to the club as they look to bounce back from last season’s finish in 15th-spot on the ladder.
“You need to have a really good balanced roster to win premierships,” said Lockyer.
“You need to have depth and if you’re paying top dollar for two players, it’s always going to put pressure on the rest of your roster.
“You’ve got to develop a lot of your young kids coming through the system and hold to them to compensate for the money you’re spending on some of your big stars.
“The ability to go out and buy more players for the Cowboys is starting to diminish. It’s about the young crop coming through and holding onto them.”
Lewis added: “If you’re after hunger, you don’t go offering a long term contract like that.
“Although when it happened everyone was happy – everyone at the Cowboys thought that would attract all of the exciting young talent to come to the club.
“It’s hard to be critical of it, but it’s also taken away from his need to impress the club every time he wants a new contract to play a little bit better.
“It’s got plus and minuses there. Only time will tell if it was the right decision.”
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