The North Queensland Cowboys' ambitions for a strong start to the 2026 NRL season have been dealt a significant blow, with key forwards Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame officially ruled out of the opening rounds due to injury.
The duo's absence casts a shadow over the club's campaign to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season, where they finished a lowly 12th, placing coach Todd Payten under immense pressure.
Key Forwards Sidelined for Season Opener
Jeremiah Nanai, the formidable Queensland State of Origin representative, has undergone reconstructive surgery on his shoulder. The injury was sustained during Samoa's victory over Tonga in the Pacific Cup in late October, forcing him onto the sidelines.
Compounding the problem, Griffin Neame has suffered a major setback in his own recovery from a season-ending shoulder injury. The club has confirmed he will not be available for Round 1 as initially planned, further depleting the Cowboys' forward pack.
This means neither player will be on the team sheet for the Cowboys' high-profile Las Vegas season opener against the Newcastle Knights. The club has stated that a clearer timeline for their return will be established in the new year.
A Glimmer of Hope in the Backline
Amid the bad news, there is a positive update concerning star winger Murray Taulagi. Despite leaving the field with a knee injury in the Pacific Cup final, he is expected to resume full training after the Christmas break and is tipped to be fit for Round 1.
Furthermore, there is encouraging news for Heilum Luki. The luckless forward, who missed the entirety of the 2025 season after suffering the second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury of his career, is also on track for a Round 1 return.
Challenges and New Beginnings for the Cowboys
The early season fixture presents a crucial opportunity for the Cowboys to build momentum. Their first five rounds feature seemingly winnable games against the Knights, Wests Tigers, Gold Coast Titans, and St George Illawarra Dragons.
In team changes, the club has welcomed hooker Reed Mahoney as a replacement for the outgoing Reece Robson. The former Canterbury Bulldogs captain has already begun his pre-season training with the squad.
The situation is an unfortunate echo of the previous year, when talismanic lock Jason Taumalolo injured his foot in the 2024 Pacific Championships and subsequently missed the start of the 2025 NRL season.
