A tight-lipped Jason Taumalolo was shielded from questions about his COVID-19 vaccination status ahead of the NRL season during a tense press conference in Townsville.
North Queensland's coach Todd Payten said last week the club's highest-paid player and captain was "compliant" to play for the Cowboys in the opening round.
The NRL has not mandated a vaccination policy for players.
Taumalolo fronted the media on Tuesday where he refused to answer questions about his vaccination status.
"I won't be disclosing anything about my medical information," he said.
"That's purely because I'd like that (to remain) private so I won't be addressing any more questions about my medical information."
Queensland Health guidelines state fans who attend Cowboys home games must be fully vaccinated.
However, when asked what he would say to the club's supporters who called for transparency, he declined to comment.
The Tongan international said he was yet to examine how his vaccination status would impact his ability to represent his country at the Rugby League World Cup in England later this year.
Further questions from the media were then cut short by a Cowboys staffer with journalists asked to keep inquiries to on-field matters.
The tension surrounding Taumalolo's status intensified when he gave an interview on Monday in which it was claimed he had contracted COVID-19 during the off-season.
Under Queensland Health rules, temporary medical exemptions can be granted if a person has contracted COVID-19 in recent weeks but that exemption is only valid for four months from infection.
If Taumalolo has received that exemption then the issue could rear its head later in the season.
"I'll be playing the NRL season," Taumalolo said.
"Look, I'm not going to harp on about exemptions and injections and what not.
"Whatever I do with my body is my information. All I know is I'll be playing round one and that's all that matters."
Taumalolo wouldn't reveal whether he had spoken to the NRL about his vaccination status.
He did, however, say it was a shame that his former Cowboys and Tonga teammate John Asiata had his contract terminated by Canterbury over his refusal to get the jab.
Asiata moved to Leigh Centurions in the English second division and made his debut in Monday's loss to Featherstone.
"I haven't spoken to him about what's happened to him off the field," he said.
"I'm sad and it's sad to see him leave the (NRL) competition."
