North Queensland Cowboys coach Paul Green says time-wasters must be penalised

COWBOYS coach Paul Green has called for time wasting players to be penalised as rugby league becomes bogged down in union-like stoppages.

North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights from 1300 Smiles Stadium, Townsville. Cowboys coach Paul Green before the game. Picture: Zak Simmonds

COWBOYS coach Paul Green has called for time wasting players to be penalised as rugby league becomes bogged down in union-like stoppages.

In the Cowboys last minute victory over Manly on Saturday night, the men from the northern beaches repeatedly wasted time and referee Ashley Klein allowed them to get away with it.

Klein also sent a clear in goal knock on by Jamie Lyon to the video referee, who took two minutes and 51 seconds to review the play and rule an obvious try.

By the time play was restarted, more than four minutes had been wasted allowing a tired Manly the break they needed.

The Sea Eagles, who lost 18-14 in the last minute, repeatedly refused to pack scrums.

Cowboys coach Paul Green. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Klein would ask them to pack the scrum, Manly would refuse and Klein would just call time off and wait for them.

In the last 10 minutes, the game resembled an NBA clash with constant time outs.

Green said penalties for players who wasted time would ensure they rushed to the scrum.

“That’s the easiest way to fix it. If they are deliberately doing it to slow the game down, then a penalty is the easiest way to fix it.

“The big thing I had an issue with was the time it took to come up with that no try.

“I think it was a four or five minute break.

“It took a long time.

“Everyone knew it wasn’t a try.”

Green said he would also like stand alone Origin fixtures to help his stars.

The Cowboys had four of their key players back up just 72 hours after Origin I.

Johnathan Thurston played 160 minutes in three days. Matt Scott and James Tamou played more than 100 minutes in three days each cracking past 230 metres.

Scott led the Cowboys tackle count against the Sea Eagles with 41.

“I definitely would (like stand alone Origin),” Green said.

“I have a few players involved so it helps us to have stand alone games.

“They were outstanding but it was a lesson for Morgo (Michael Morgan) too because this whole Origin thing is a new experience for him.

“He was a little off tonight. It is a learning curve for him on how to back up.”

The Cowboys now have nine days rest before they face Parramatta next Monday night.

“It can be easier to back up sooner,” Green said.

“The boys can have a few days off now to recover.

“We are kind of lucky this time in a way as we have a long break before Parramatta.

“The short time after Origin can actually help. The following week is when they can struggle.”

Originally published as North Queensland Cowboys coach Paul Green says time-wasters must be penalised