Chad Townsend must bounce back from benching to help Sharks topple Cowboys

CHAD Townsend enters Cronulla’s preliminary final down on confidence after being benched — and he’s faced with stopping the best player in the world.

ONE halfback was described as the “best player in the world”.

The other was said to be “down” and “off”.

This is the tale of two contrasting halfbacks. Cronulla’s Chad Townsend enters Friday night’s preliminary final down on confidence after being benched 60 minutes into a qualifying final against Canberra.

His opponent, future Immortal North Queensland superstar Johnathan Thurston, is in sublime form after producing yet another matchwinning moment against Brisbane on Friday night.

“He (Thurston) is the best player in the world,” Sharks fullback Ben Barba said.

Johnathan Thurston has been in sublime form for the Cowboys. Picture: Darren England

Meanwhile Townsend spent the week being counselled and reassured by ­Cronulla’s coaching staff and players.

“I don’t think we were overly confident in what we were doing around Chad. He was second-guessing himself,” said Sharks coach Shane Flanagan, who admitted he has altered his game plan to place more structure around Townsend.

“Chad was down after the game (against Canberra) but he came and watched the game with us (on video) — he was the first to throw his hands up and say he wasn’t going well at the time.

“No-one likes coming off, especially in the halves. It was a decision I made at the time — whether it was right or wrong, I don’t know.”

Chad Townsend watches on from the bench during Cronulla’s win over Canberra.

Asked was he concerned Townsend was “off” in the high-pressure finals, Flanagan said: “There is a reason for that. He was second-guessing himself. So we have simplified that a little bit, gone back to where we used to be. Chad really likes structure and we have given him a little more ­structure around him.”

Told being benched was a clear message for Townsend to improve his form, Flanagan said: “And that’s probably what’s happened now. He’s good kid, a mature kid. He trained outstanding today — we need him. He does most of our field-position calls. He has a level head, he’ll be fine.”

Barba and Michael Ennis have also ­rallied around Townsend.

“I have faith in Chad, absolutely,” Barba said.

“I had a word to him after the game and I know Jimmy (Maloney) spent some time with him and I’m sure Mick (Ennis) has to reassure him that he’s our number seven. He is over it and knows we need him in our side directing the side if we are any chance on Friday.”

Ennis praised Townsend’s bounce-back.

“I’ve been really pleased with Chad and how he’s responded,” he said.

“It was obviously a brave call by ‘Flano’.”

Originally published as Chad Townsend must bounce back from benching to help Sharks topple Cowboys