Jeremiah Nanai’s recent demotion to reserve grade has raised eyebrows, with Phil Gould suggesting it may serve as a crucial wake-up call for the relatively young star to focus on improving his game. The North Queensland Cowboys have experienced a rough start to the 2025 NRL season under Coach Todd Payten, who made the tough decision to reconfigure the starting lineup, including leaving out Nanai, who is part of the Maroons State of Origin team.
Despite his talent, questions have lingered over Nanai’s defensive capabilities. In a recent match against Manly, he recorded 23 tackles but missed three and only managed a mere two runs for a disappointing 16 metres. Consequently, Kai O’Donnell, a promising local talent with three successful years in the Super League, is set to step into Nanai’s role in the back-row. Payten admitted that this decision wasn’t easy, but it was necessary given ongoing defensive concerns about Nanai.
Gould highlighted that while Nanai has been acknowledged as a marquee player with great potential, he has not been sufficiently held accountable for his defensive performance. With a strong determination to improve his defensive game, Nanai’s commitment is evident. However, given the heavy defeat against Manly, the Cowboys must prioritise their defence heading into the next round.
The Cowboys had an arduous task to open their season against a full-strength Manly at Brookvale, and Gould suggested that despite their promising pre-season results, teams can sometimes be misled into believing they are better prepared than they actually are. He pointed out that even well-prepared teams can falter when faced with the reality of competitive play.
Gould defended Payten against criticism regarding the team’s mentality after the match, stating that while it’s possible that players can lose focus or fail to engage fully, he does not believe this was the case for the Cowboys. Instead, he noted that the team seemed emotionally disconnected from the game. Gould recommended that the Cowboys reflect on their performance, addressing what they may have neglected during the off-season and determining why they faltered under pressure.
The need for introspection and regaining focus appears vital as the team seeks to bounce back from such a harsh loss. Payten is encouraged to refocus the team on fundamental skills while addressing the mental aspect of their game, ensuring they regain traction as the season continues.