North Queensland has asked the NRL for an explanation regarding claims Jason Taumalolo had an undiagnosed broken foot when he took the field against Australia in the Pacific Championships final.
The 31-year-old is set to miss the first month of the NRL season after having Lisfranc surgery, with the development leaving the Cowboys frustrated.
It’s understood Taumalolo was cleared to play by Tongan medical staff and physiotherapists, who also work with NRL clubs.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports he suffered the injury in the match against New Zealand.
“I don’t know if his injury was handled well, at all. It was only diagnosed after the Championships, and once he had been in Townsville for over a week. To only find out then was really disappointing,” Cowboys coach Todd Payten said.
“It’s a shame because Jase has worked really hard to get his body right, I thought the back end of last season was really strong, and his form in the Pacific Championships was great.
“To lose someone like him with his influence for us, it’s really disappointing. It’s important he gets himself right post-Christmas. He won’t be out for an extended period, but he’ll miss at least the first few games of the season.”
Tonga coach Kristian Woolf said the team’s staff treated the Cowboys star with “nothing but care.”
“The way our medical staff treated the situation with Jason is exactly how they would have looked after him in the NRL,” he said.
“They had nothing but care for Jason. And after speaking with Jason, he feels the same way.”
The Cowboys’ medical team reportedly informed their Tongan counterparts they had no issues with their injury-handling process.
The Cowboys have also lost back-rower Heilum Luki, who will be sidelined for the full 2025 season after suffering an ACL injury.