Chad Townsend weighs in on NSW Blues halves debate and why outside noise won’t trouble Cowboys

Cowboys halfback Chad Townsend has weighed in on the NSW Blues halfback debate with the state in the midst of a playmaker injury crisis just weeks out from Origin. Find out who he’d pick.

Cowboys halfback Chad Townsend has weighed in on the NSW Blues halfback debate with the state in the midst of a playmaker injury crisis just weeks out from State of Origin.

With the injury-ravaged selection pool in mind, Townsend said 2022 Dally M Medallist Nicho Hynes deserved the No.7 jersey if he could prove his fitness.

“I don’t know too much, only what I see and read in the media, but from what I understand I don’t think Nicho (Hynes)’s injury is too bad. If he’s only out for a short time I think he deserves a shot,” Townsend said.

“You’ve also got Jarome Luai there who’s done a job before. I hope we get the right guys to do it because I’m in enemy territory up here and I’m probably going to cop a lot of stick in a couple of weeks’ time.”

Although he has represented NSW City on two occasions – in 2016 and 2017 – the 33-year-old Cowboys half said he had not received any word and was not expecting a shock call up to the side.

Townsend said Nicho Hynes has been the form healthy NSW halfback. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

With his focus firmly on club-land, Townsend said he would look to continue popping up in the centre and left side of the field to connect with five-eighth Tom Dearden in attack.

“I feel really comfortable with Tom (Dearden) and our on-field connection or relationship, the way that we play,” Townsend said.

Tom Dearden and Chad Townsend linked up together in attack a number of times against the Titans in round 10. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“We’re always looking to link up and communicate, that’s the way we play. Sometimes we just see the same thing and it’s just a bit of eye contact or a wink or a look, that we kind of know where we need to be.

“It might even be a hand gesture, it’s just the smallest things. I guess over the course of playing with Tom for now two and a half years, I feel like we’re playing our best football when we’re linking up and passing the ball to each other.

“If we continue to do that hopefully we can create some more opportunities for our guys outside us.”

Throughout his career Townsend has faced his fair share of the highs and lows that the rugby league rollercoaster provides.

Todd Payten has faced criticism from media organisations and punters alike in recent weeks. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

With his teammates and coaches now the targets of armchair experts from around the state and indeed the nation, the veteran playmaker said the outside noise wouldn’t affect his team’s outlook or performances.

“Do I think it’s fair? I can’t really answer that. I’m not the one who’s saying it,” Townsend said.

“What I will say though is the outside noise, for me personally, has never and will never worry me.

“I continue to focus on what I can control. I know our coaching staff do, our teammates do, and the outside noise is outside noise for a reason – we can’t control it.

“I guess that’s one of the reasons why rugby league is what it is, everyone has an opinion. We all love the game. I’ll just leave it at that.”

The Cowboys take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Saturday in Brisbane, kick-off at 7.45pm.

Originally published as Chad Townsend weighs in on NSW Blues halves debate and why outside noise won’t trouble Cowboys