Ben Barba and Cowboys pick up pace in pre-season preparations
COWBOYS recruit Ben Barba will step out for his first training next Monday, quickening the pace of a North Queensland club on a mission this pre-season.
NRL
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COWBOYS recruit Ben Barba will step out for his first training next Monday, quickening the pace of a North Queensland club on a mission this pre-season.
Barba, who won last season’s Man of Steel player of the year award in England’s Super League, will be given an additional week above many of his new clubmates with which to settle in.
Cowboys football manager Peter Parr confirmed Michael Morgan would resume training on Monday after recovering from his season-ending biceps injury.
Queensland Origin forward Coen Hess will be among a group of younger players who will be back a week early, on Monday.
“Ben gives us a bit of X-factor. Getting a player like him is really exciting,’’ Hess said.
“If he can create something out of nothing like Mango (former Cowboys fullback) Matt Bowen did, and find the form he did when he won the Dally M Medal (in 2012) and helped Cronulla to the premiership (in 2016), he can have an impact on the Cowboys.’’
The Cowboys finished 13th in 2018 after being among the premiership favourites at the outset of the season.
Jake Clifford, who came into the team after Morgan’s injury, and Te Maire Martin wore the No.6 jersey late in the season alongside the retired No.7 Johnathan Thurston.
“Compared to his debut to his last game, he came a long way,’’ Hess said of Clifford, who played six first grade games.
“I spoke to Morgo last week and I think he’ll be good for the pre-season.
“The more Jake plays, the more confidence he will gain. He was coming off shoulder surgery, too, so he missed a bit of the pre-season (for 2018).
“With a full pre-season under his belt he will be even more comfortable with his position in the team and build a pretty good career for himself.’’
Hess said his post-season review from coach Paul Green had been to consider the Cowboys’ finish above three teams only as a learning exercise.
“The year didn’t go to plan but the message was we shouldn’t let it be a burden on us — he said to take it as a learning curve,’’ Hess said.
“Coming through, I was always in a winning Cowboys culture
“If the time comes we are ever in this position again, I’ll be able to manage myself a bit better, having experienced it.
“Everyone this time of the year wants to win the premiership and we are no different. That’s the team’s goal.’’
Hess played off the interchange bench twice only in his last 21 NRL games in 2018.
“I’ve played 50-odd games now and consider I’m more part of the team and I’m confident about my role,’’ he said.
“My goal is to play consistent footy and have a bit more of a role in the Cowboys.”
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