EXCLUSIVE: Icons Stunned by Cowboys Coach’s Line-Up Decisions Following ‘Shocking’ Start to the Season

A number of rugby league legends have raised concerns regarding North Queensland coach Todd Payten’s alterations to the team during a dismal stretch ofform.

The Cowboys find themselves on the back foot after conceding 78 points in their opening two rounds of the NRL season, resulting in significant defeats to both the Sea Eagles and the Sharks.

The upcoming challenge doesn’t seem any less daunting as the team heads south to Brisbane on Friday night, where they will face a struggling Broncos side eager to recover from a surprising loss to the Raiders.

In response to the heavy defeat in Round 1, Payten made the controversial decision to drop international and Origin backrower Jeremiah Nanai. The Kangaroos standout has since been reinstated for Round 3, but Phil Gould has expressed his bewilderment at Payten’s approach.

“I would suggest that dropping a player should be a last resort for any coach or player; it’s not something one wishes to do,” Gould reflected on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles with Gus.

“Jeremiah Nanai has shown defensive weaknesses for a while now… it’s well-known that he still struggles with his defensive reads and when he engages in tackles.”

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“I’m not sure if he has genuinely put in the effort to improve, or if they’ve just overlooked it because of his attacking abilities or the fact that he is on a hefty contract.”

“Often they’re offered big contracts and the assumption is they no longer need coaching, that they should already know everything… but that’s far from the truth.”

“Has Jeremiah Nanai genuinely improved by being benched for a week? You really think that by being dropped for a week, he’s suddenly going to become a better defender? That’s simply unrealistic.”

Brad Fittler concurred, suggesting it was an odd decision to drop Nanai after just a single loss.

“I’m not certain if this was the appropriate moment to take a stand against someone,” Fittler shared on Nine’s Freddy and the Eighth.

“At times, their team looks almost invisible.”

This week, Payten made another significant change, dropping rookie halfback Tom Duffy from the starting lineup.

Duffy edged out more seasoned teammate Jake Clifford in the first two rounds, but will now have to step aside for Clifford.

Broncos legend Darren Lockyer questioned this move, especially considering the Cowboys’ glaring defensive issues.

“There’s a lack of trust among the players, leading to excessive points being conceded. Defence is the crux of the problem… will (Clifford) resolve the defensive issues? I doubt it; it’s a collective concern,” Lockyer commented on QLDER this week.

Another Queensland icon, Wally Lewis, known for his cautious assessments, did not hold back his critique of the Cowboys following their 36-12 defeat to the Sharks in Townsville.

“Lacklustre individual and team efforts,” he stated on QLDER.

“It was unexpectedly poor. It genuinely leaves you a bit stunned.”