Darren Lockyer hits back after Jason Taumalolo caught in NRL storm over post-match photo
The post-match images involving Taumalolo sparked backlash around NRL circles.
Darren Lockyer has hit back at criticism directed at Cowboys pair Jason Taumalolo and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, in the wake of North Queensland's 27-20 loss to Parramatta in round six of the NRL. The Cowboys players were pictured laughing and smiling after the match with Eels rivals Will Penisini and Joe Ofahengaue, before posing for a photo together moments after the full-time siren.
All four players have Tongan heritage and they've played alongside one another on the international stage, despite squaring off as opponents at Commbank Stadium on Saturday night as the Eels sprung an upset over the high-flying Cowboys. But veteran News Corp league reporter Dean Ritchie said it was a bad look to see the North Queensland players in such good spirits after a hard fought defeat.
The sight of players from losing sides sharing jokes or laughing with former teammates is often a grating one for many viewers. They are often accused of not caring enough or being devastated enough about losing the match and Ritchie voiced his displeasure with the Cowboys players in an article for The Daily Telegraph.
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"I am all for sportsmanship at full-time but losing players smiling and posing for selfies? Really?" Ritchie wrote. "I couldn’t believe what I was seeing when Cowboys players Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Jason Taumalolo posed up with Eels pair Will Penisini and Joe Ofahengaue for an on-field selfie after full-time.
"I don’t mind the Eels players being all smiles — they won. But if I was a Cowboys fan, I’d like to see the players show a tad more hurt. Yes, I understand all four have Tongan links but this is club footy. Remember when players who lost were gutted?
"These two Cowboys aren’t the only NRL players smiling after a loss at full-time – they all seem to do it these days. Winning or losing doesn’t seem to matter – it’s smiles all round." While many fans will agree with Ritchie's stance, Lockyer said that just because the players are putting on a brave face by laughing or smiling, doesn't mean they're not disappointed to lose the footy match.
Much like the classic State of Origin mantra of 'State vs State, mate vs mate', the Queensland and Kangaroos legend also pointed out that many NRL rivals are good friends off the field. "They're allowed to be mates," Lockyer said on the Wide World of Sports' QLDER podcast. "Fan engagement and social media is such a big part of the game now, we are in the entertainment business. I can understand that there would be Cowboys players disappointed by a loss and if they see a player (doing that).
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"(But) It's not a true smile, they are smiling for the photo to help the game promote itself. I wouldn't read too much into it." Fellow Maroons legend Wally Lewis agreed and said such scenes between rival players were a testament to the level of respect that the players have for one another.
Brandon Smith's post-match act with rivals called out in 2023
The issue also came under the microscope last year when Roosters hooker Brandon Smith copped flak for laughing and sharing a joke with former Storm teammates at the end of a crunch match late in the season. Smith hit back at critics at the time by insisting he was just happy to be back on the field after being sidelined with injury. “I guess it is not ideal to be happy after a loss like that, especially with the season on the line,” Smith said.
“But those guys I am talking to, I have genuine love for those guys. I’ve just got through a footy game, I haven’t played in nine weeks and I get to see my best mates. I’m having a laugh, at the end of the day footy is your job and my life, I would like to be happy with my life. If I can’t enjoy moments with my mates after a game you can pretty much go and get f****d.”
