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The Cowboys should bench $ 10 million superstar Jason Taumalolo if they want maximum impact in under minutes, says Darren Lockyer.
Taumalolo only played 51 minutes in a 24-0 loss to the Panthers on Saturday. He only ran 73 meters, far from his usual 200 meters.
New North Queensland coach Todd Payten said he was focused on protecting the longevity of Taumalolo, but will come under enormous pressure to rethink his plans if the production of the Champion’s Lock remains so diminished.
“Obviously they were disappointing the other night and there’s talk of cutting Jason’s minutes for more impact. I think if you want to cut his minutes … I look at his best performances and that’s late in the halves where it gets very vibrant, “Broncos legend Lockyer said on Wide World of Sports’ QLDER.
“In particular with the [six-again] rule changes, when he’s faced with tired defenses in the middle, I think that’s where he is most dangerous.
“So potentially, maybe if you cut his minutes, do you get him off the bench?” Bring him into the game. [after] 15 minutes.”
Lockyer said Taumalolo, who signed a 10-year contract for $ 1 million per season in 2017, clearly remains a specialist center-forward; despite calls for it to play on the edge to reduce wear. He suggested Taumalolo could play 50 minutes per game being deployed for the last 25 minutes of each half.
“He’s in the middle. You look at this shared vision you have of Jason, coming right in the middle with a big left foot or a big right step,” Lockyer said.
“He ran 73 yards the other night, he usually runs over 200 yards. It’s a game and I’m sure they’ll play with it but if you want to cut his minutes I think he starts the game. . bench, [bring him on] 15 minutes later and just tell him to go hard. “
Super rugby league Peter Sterling previously suggested that Taumalolo was wasted on “grumpy labor” in the middle of the field.
“I can really see where Sterlo is coming from, from an attacking point of view, running him to a smaller, slightly wider half-back is fantastic,” said tall Sam Thaiday from Brisbane. QLDER.
“But having to make decisions in defense is quite difficult. It’s a specialty position when it comes to defense, you have to defend your form, a lot of movement there too.”
“I think he’s made for the midfield. I just think the Cowboys have to find a way to bring him a little bit more into the game, maybe come up with a few different scrum plays in the middle.
“And also push some of those middle forwards a little harder to maybe get Jase to play the ball quickly.”
Taumalolo has also been criticized by Payten for taking shortcuts in defense. The crack was marked “courageous” and “unprecedented” by Sterling, while NSW coach Brad Fittler warned Payten not to coach with an eye on his own job security.
Yet legendary trainer Phil Gould Said Payten Was Right to put the responsibility for team standards on its biggest star.
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