Cowboys banned from bringing phones to team gatherings

COWBOYS coach Paul Green has imposed hardline rules on mobile phone use and dress standards as part of a cultural overhaul at the club.

NEW Cowboys coach Paul Green has imposed hardline rules on mobile phone use and dress standards as part of a cultural overhaul to break North Queensland’s 19-year premiership drought.

Green launches his NRL coaching career against Canberra on Saturday night and has wasted no time instilling core values that will define his tenure in Townsville.

Under Green’s regime, Cowboys squad members, including Origin stars Johnathan Thurston, Brent Tate and Matt Scott, are banned from bringing mobile phones to team gatherings.

Players have also been ordered not to wear baseball caps or singlets to meetings or activities where they are representing the club.

Rather than being labelled a dictator, Green believes the mobile phone edict is a step that will encourage the Cowboys to bond as teammates without distractions.

Cowboys has strict demands of his players. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Green’s standards of discipline have been backed by North Queensland’s senior group. Halfback Robert Lui praised the new culture designed to give the Cowboys a harder edge.

“Greeny has brought a strong culture here,” Lui said.

“He knows what he wants and he has drilled it into us. We know what he demands and we are trying to get the little things right.

“The big thing is the standards he has set across the group. Even the fringe players know what to expect.

“Paul believes it’s a sign of courtesy and respect towards people and I agree with that.

“These days, you tend to have your phone everywhere, but Paul doesn’t want us being on our phones all the time and being anti-social. It’s good to chat as a group without distractions.”

Cowboys issues instructions to his players at training this week.

Rugby’s Queensland Reds were famously pilloried in 2007 for their disregard for team uniform, returning to Australia a rabble in civilian garb after being flogged 92-3 by the Bulls in South Africa.

On Green’s watch, Cowboys players will be dressed for success in pursuit of a maiden title.

“It’s important how we present ourselves at all times. The public will form an opinion about us,’’ Green said.

“I’ve got my own values that I think are important.

“Whatever values you want to have, you can’t pick and choose when you have discipline.

“We don’t always get it right, we are all human, but if guys in a club aren’t working on discipline, you can’t expect them to just switch it on.

“I don’t want to come out with any great mantra, but trust, honesty, respect, integrity, loyalty, they are the things that are important to me as a person and hopefully it will be reflected in the teams I coach.’’

Cowboys board member Ben Ikin is confident the club’s players will buy into Green’s benchmarks.

“You can’t step into NRL coaching and not have a clearly-defined philosophy and playing style,’’ Ikin said.

“Paul knows what he wants. If you don’t know what you stand for, the players don’t either.’’