We’re only two matches into the 2026 NRL season but already there’s a coach under pressure with Chad Townsend declaring his former Cowboys coach Todd Payten is “the most under pressure coach”.
The coach finds himself in the firing line after a 28-18 loss to the Knights with defence once again the Cowboys’ biggest problem.
Payten’s men finished 12th last year despite having a squad littered with Origin-level talent.
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The former prop is in the last year of his contract and has delivered two finals appearances since signing in 2021.
Todd Payten talks to his players. Â NRL Imagery
Townsend previously played under Payten at the Cowboys and believes the drums are starting to beat for his former mentor.
“He’s probably now the most under pressure coach in the competition … he’s the only coach at the moment heading into the 2026 season off contract,” he said on SEN.
“What that says to me is the Cowboys club want to see how this team goes at the start of the year before they offer an extension. Immediately they need to respond the following week in round two.”
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Chad Townsend at the Cowboys. NRL Images
The Cowboys will travel to Sydney for round two on March 14 against the Tigers.
Last season North Queensland conceded 684 points, second only to the Titans with 719.
In the previous year, they finished fifth but had the worst defence in the top eight after finishing with 568 points against them.
The same patterns appear to be reappearing.
“Their start to the game, their start to the second half was very ordinary,” Townsend said.
“Last year they had the second worst defence in the competition … again they conceded 28 points.”
Corey Parker added to the criticism, saying there wasn’t much to like from both sides of their game.
“It could be a long season. I thought their middles in terms of lateral movement were pretty poor and in terms of attack, they went sideline to sideline, no one wanted to straighten up,” he said.
“… The noise will get loud now for Todd Payten.”