North Queensland's leadership group has denied reports of a rift between Jason Taumalolo and coach Todd Payten following media claims the skipper is unhappy with his game time.
The 28-year-old, who is on a reported 10-year, $10 million deal with the Cowboys, played only 15 matches in 2021 due to multiple injuries and was limited in his game time in their round-one loss to Canterbury.
In his 51 minutes, the Cowboys captain mustered 136 running metres, a far cry from his powerhouse performances that earned him his decade-long deal and Dally M medal in 2016.
Reports of a rift between the pair were aired by former NRL players from rivals Brisbane this week, but forward Jordan McLean who skippered the side in Taumalolo's absence last year, rubbished the claims.
"I think it's pretty silly to be honest," he said on Wednesday.
"Hulky (Taumalolo) loves it up here and him and Toddy have a great relationship - it's just typical outside noise.
"Maybe if we win last week none of this talk is here, so our job is to go out there and win each week."
The Cowboys skipper entered round one without any trial minutes under his belt due to a hamstring complaint, but Payten is confident the wrecking-ball will fire again as the season progresses.
"He's got a point to prove I guess," Payten said.
"There's been a lot of conjecture around him and his involvement in the club, and I like when people poke the bear."
Following their disappointing 6-4 loss to Canterbury, the Cowboys finish their two-game home start with a clash against Canberra on Saturday.
Young playmaker Tom Dearden says the onus is on himself and halves partner Chad Townsend to deliver after completing just 65 per cent of their sets in their first NRL hit-out together.
"Being in the halves you take the brunt of the loss," he told reporters.
"I don't think we built enough pressure and put enough fatigue into the opposition to really finish them off at the end.
"So it was disappointing and probably a bit annoying not being able to finish the game on the weekend and win it.
"But, we've just got to move on from that now and build into this week coming against the Canberra Raiders."
