Todd Payten’s axe falls as North Queensland Cowboys star Jeremiah Nanai dropped
Cowboys coach Todd Payten has shown no hesitation in dropping one of North Queensland’s biggest stars to the Queensland Cup after a nightmare defensive display in round 1.
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Todd Payten has swung his axe on one of the North Queensland’s biggest stars with backrower Jeremiah Nanai set for a stint in the Queensland Cup with the Northern Pride.
Payten said it was important for the group to know that everyone was accountable for their defence.
“Jeremiah is an elite attacking player and he needs to improve some defensive parts of his game,” Payten said.
“He’s going to get some time in the Q Cup to do that. It wasn’t an easy decision but I just felt it was important for the group that if we want to improve as a team, defence is first and foremost.”
The Cowboys’ star backrower was not included in Payten’s team for round 2, opening the door for Proserpine junior Kai O’Donnell to make his NRL return in the starting side.
Payten said O’Donnell, 26, would leave everything out on the field to prove why he should maintain the starting spot.
“He’s rock-hard fit and he will die competing for his teammates,” Payten said.
“Played really good footy over in England, he grew up wanting to be a Cowboy all of his life and he’s just a great kid to have around the group.
“Worked really hard since he’s been here, he struggled a little bit with the heat when he first came back but he’s in good condition and I’m real excited to see what he can offer us.”
The Pride play the Tweed Seagulls in Cairns on Saturday afternoon while the Cowboys are playing Manly.
‘WE NEED TO BE BETTER’: DEARDEN’S HONEST ASSESSMENT OF COWBOYS
Cowboys skipper Tom Dearden conceded his new-look left edge “missed the mark” in defence during North Queensland’s 42-12 drubbing in round 1, vowing to turn things around before Saturday’s home-opener against the Sharks.
The Cowboys were terrorised by Manly’s sizzling right-edge attack with Daly Cherry-Evans, Tom Trbojevic, Haumole Olakau’atu and Jason Saab running riot during the 30-point defeat.
Jeremiah Nanai had a forgettable first appearance on Dearden’s edge, making just two runs and missing three tackles before making way for Karl Lawton after 57 minutes. Dearden and centre Jaxon Purdue combined for 10 missed tackles.
“If I’m being honest, I thought we missed our mark defensively,” Dearden said.
“I think a lot of it was just our tackling and it was from our whole edge. I know we missed a few important tackles that ended up being crucial and leading to tries.
“We need to be better in that area, and we’ve got training today and tomorrow to fix that and then be ready to go on Saturday.”
Olakau’atu was particularly devastating in attack, breaking eight tackles including a couple to score the Sea Eagles’ first try in the third minute.
Sharks backrower Briton Nikora poses a different type of defensive challenge but Dearden said his edge would have to work better as a team to contain Cronulla.
“He (Nikora) is a strong line-running backrower, and he runs hard,” Dearden said.
“So it’s just about making sure that I’m stepping into contact and doing my best to win that tackle.
“I think as an edge as well, we’ve got to work together and be making contact simultaneously.
“You’ve got to be physical against (Cronulla). I think every side in the NRL, everyone wants to be physical. That’s how you get started, and that puts you on the front foot.”
Despite the poor round 1 showing, Dearden was optimistic that the Cowboys could turn things around quickly.
“We had a really honest review about it, and think we really missed the mark with the physical part of our performance, and that’s where we’re looking to bounce back this weekend,” Dearden said.
“The great thing about rugby league is that you’ve got next week to try and turn things around.
“It’s only round 1, it’s only early in the season, and I know we missed the mark, and we’ve discussed that now, but everyone’s looking forward to having a really big training week and working hard.”
The Cowboys host Cronulla on Saturday, March 15. Kick-off is at 4.35pm AEST.
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