Cowboys coach Paul Green hits back at Wayne Bennett’s ‘drama queens’ jibe

COWBOYS coach Paul Green has hit back at Broncos rival Wayne Bennett over Johnathan Thurston’s treatment by opposition defences.

The NNorth Queensland Cowboys National Rugby League (NRL) team train at Barlow Park, Cairns, ahead of their pre season match against the Gold Coast Titans on February 21. Photo of (L-R) Cowboys co captain Johnathan Thurston and head coach Paul Green. Picture: Brendan Radke.

COWBOYS coach Paul Green has hit back at Broncos rival Wayne Bennett as a war of words erupted over Johnathan Thurston’s treatment by opposition defences.

In a fiery prelude to the Queensland derby at Suncorp Stadium, Bennett slammed as “ludicrous” Thurston’s claim that defenders could now launch “open-slather” attacks on playmakers.

The Broncos super coach then suggested the Cowboys’ fury was designed to cover-up the fallout from two consecutive home losses, adding: “The drama queens are out of the cage”.

But Green landed in Brisbane refusing to take a backward step, pointing out Bennett has strongly championed player welfare in his role on the NRL’s competition committee.

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Paul Green has hit back after Wayne Bennett labelled the Cowboys ’drama queens’.

“With respect to the drama queens, I’m not sure who Wayne is talking about there, but I haven’t been going on about it,” Green said.

“Wayne has always been a big advocate for player safety, he’s led the charge on wrestling tactics, so it surprises me that this issue isn’t a concern for him.

“In Wayne’s way, he’s probably trying to influence the refs, especially if the Broncos come out and pressure Johnathan.

“Funnily enough, when Newcastle beat us down there (in Newcastle) last year, it was the same sort of stuff (Beau Scott targeting Thurston) and Wayne was the coach of Newcastle then.

“It’s nothing new for him ... it will be interesting to see if the Broncos try it.”

Earlier on Thursday, Bennett scoffed at claims Thurston is being deliberately bashed and suggested the Cowboys were putting a spin on their two straight losses.

“The Cowboys have lost two games, they lost them at home, it’s a good way to deflect attention, it’s a dream that sort of stuff,” he said.

“It’s not open slather, that’s ridiculous.

“What’s happened this week is all the drama queens have got out of the cage again.

“Johnathan didn’t get any more special treatment last week than he got in last year’s Origin series when there was a war between him and Beau Scott.

“The late tackles have been going on for two years now, the game hasn’t done enough in my opinion but it’s not just Johnathan Thurston.

“Go and talk to Cooper Cronk and other players and ask how many times they have been taken off the ball.”

The fallout from Johnathan Thurston’s rough treatment continues to rumble on.

Green, who launched his coaching career under Bennett at the Broncos in 2005, denied attempting to seek convenient excuses for the Cowboys’ poor start to the season.

“I’m not making excuses or deflecting anything,” he said. “I never have and I never will. I instil that in my players. I don’t blame refs, I don’t deflect blame at all.

“I am disappointed. The Roosters are a good team and we’re not the only team they will beat this year. The Newcastle game was disappointing, but it’s a tough comp and if you are off your game at all, you will get beaten.

“I don’t buy into that ... we as a club are accountable.”