North Queensland Cowboys coach Todd Payten’s recent team selections have drawn significant criticism from rugby league legends, particularly following a dismal start to the NRL season where they conceded 78 points in losses against the Sea Eagles and Sharks. As the Cowboys prepare for a challenging match against the Broncos, who are also seeking redemption after a loss to the Raiders, questions about Payten’s strategy have intensified.
In response to the Cowboys’ dismal performance, Payten’s decision to drop international star Jeremiah Nanai sparked debate. While Nanai has struggled defensively, Phil Gould and others have expressed confusion over the wisdom of his exclusion after just one match. Gould highlighted the risk of axing players, stating it should be a last resort and questioning whether such a brief break would effectively address Nanai’s defensive weaknesses.
Brad Fittler also weighed in, suggesting that the timing of Nanai’s drop didn’t seem appropriate and that sometimes teams can appear unremarkable when underperforming. Payten continued to shuffle his lineup by dropping rookie halfback Tom Duffy for the upcoming match against the Broncos, replacing him with veteran Jake Clifford. This change has drawn scrutiny from Broncos legend Darren Lockyer, who emphasised that the Cowboys’ primary issue is their leaky defence, suggesting that simply switching the halfback may not resolve the underlying team problems.
Wally Lewis, known for his cautious assessments, did not hold back his criticism after the Cowboys’ recent 36-12 defeat to the Sharks, labelling their performance as shocking and indicative of individual and collective failures. Overall, the Cowboys’ dire situation and controversial selection decisions have put Payten under mounting pressure as the season develops.