NRL 2020: Michael Morgan addresses rift rumours with coach Paul Green

Cowboys skipper Michael Morgan has addressed reports of a falling out with head coach Paul Green last season as the 28-year-old gears up for his first game of 2020.

NRL; North Queensland Cowboys pre season training at Townsville Football Stadium. Michael Morgan. Picture: Alix Sweeney

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Cowboys skipper Michael Morgan says his relationship with coach Paul Green is as strong as ever as the star playmaker gears up for his first Cowboys appearance of the year.

Morgan and Green were reportedly involved in a heated post-match discussion following their Round 22 loss to Newcastle last season, sparking concerns of a player rift.

However, the 28-year-old Morgan backed the North Queensland head coach to lead them to success in the 2020 season.

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Michael Morgan and coach Paul Green at training. Picture: Evan Morgan

“We’re good. We honestly are,” Morgan said.

“(Last year’s incident) got beaten up a lot more than anything that was probably necessary.

“We’re 100 per cent good. I promise.

“I’m feeling really confident with where we are at as a group.”

It comes as the North Queensland halfback prepares to play his first game of the year in their Saturday trial against the Storm in Melbourne.

Morgan has sat out the past two Cowboys trials and was absent from the NRL Nines tournament in Perth earlier this month.

Michael Morgan will lace the boots up for the first time in 2020. Picture: Alix Sweeney

The 28-year-old has assured the North Queensland faithful that he is not carrying any injuries and was fully fit leading into the upcoming season.

Experienced forwards pairing John Asiata and Gavin Cooper have also sat out the pre-season matches and will make their 2020 debut in Melbourne as well.

Meanwhile the club is resting rising star Scott Drinkwater after the 22-year-old suffered a minor pectoral strain during their trial against the Broncos in Cairns last weekend.

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Drinkwater is battling it out for the No.6 jersey with fellow youngster Jake Clifford, who was named to partner Morgan in the halves on Saturday.

Morgan said he was “itching” to get back to playing footy this weekend ahead of their Round 1 blockbuster at their new stadium next month.

“Greeny kind of put me on ice (for the pre-season games),” Morgan said.

“I didn’t mind missing the Nines though because it gave those younger guys a run, which they really enjoyed. I was more than happy to sit it out and give other guys a go.

Scott Drinkwater has been rested from this week’s trial following a minor pec strain. Picture: James Worsfold/Getty

“Last week, I thought I might’ve played given that (Scott) Drinkwater and (Jake) Clifford played more time at the Nines but Greeny was happy for me to miss it.

“I’m all good to go this week though.

“I definitely want to have at least one trial to get back into it.”

Valentine Holmes will also get his second run at fullback following a successful debut last weekend, while new recruit Esan Marsters will return to the club following his Maori All Stars appearance on the Gold Coast.