Todd Payten feeling the pressure as North Queensland Cowboys brace for Brisbane battle

The Cowboys coach conceded the entire club were feeling the pressure as they brace for a brutal must-win battle on Saturday night. Read the latest out of Cowboys HQ.

The Cowboys are braced for a brutal must-win battle on Saturday night when they face the struggling South Sydney Rabbitohs during Magic Round in Brisbane.

The pair of underperforming clubs have the two worst defensive records in the competition, conceding 585 points through a combined 19 games, but both have the squads on paper to be finals teams.

North Queensland welcomes back Maroons winger Murray Taulagi and forward pack leader Jordan McLean in a major boost for their chances, but have also been dealt an injury blow with Kyle Feldt sidelined with injury.

Cowboys coach Todd Payten said Taulagi would bring some sorely-needed on-field energy.

“Jordan (McLean) is very experienced. Muzz (Taulagi) is high-end in his position, he’s played rep football now for the past couple of years so we’re fortunate that those two come back into the team,” Payten said.

“They’ve added a bit of energy, calmer heads and some great talk out on an edge.”

Murray Taulagi brings plenty of athleticism to the Cowboys side. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Cowboys halfback Chad Townsend agreed Taulagi was a terrific inclusion.

“Muzz is a class player, he has been a huge part of our side for the last couple of years,” Townsend said.

“He’s a representative-grade player, he carries from the back field, he’s very safe under the high ball. His talk, his energy is second to none.

“I love Muzz, I love playing with him, he’s someone who brings the best out of our left edge and he’s a real welcome addition back to our side so I’m looking forward to having him back out there.”

Chad Townsend loves playing alongside Murray Taulagi. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

North Queensland has been under the microscope this week with pundits around the country questioning just what is at the core of the club’s woeful form.

Braith Anasta said the Cowboys had “fallen off a cliff” on NRL 360, with the Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio calling out the team’s defence.

“If we remember two seasons ago when the Cowboys had that great year, we remember talking about their scramble defence,” Riccio said.

“And how they used to fight for each other where there would be six or eight Cowboys in the frame on a last ditch play. We are seeing none of that.

“We spoke about how fit they were and how hard they were. We are seeing none of that at this point in time.

“That’s why I honestly believe there are questions being asked up there.”

Players and coaches alike have felt the heat with Payten conceding it had taken its toll during the week.

“I can understand it comes with the job. It’s a very consuming role that I have. The club’s under a bit of pressure and we’re all feeling it in some ways,” Payten said.

Todd Payten said the whole club was feeling the pressure in some ways. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“That consuming part, I guess, is amplified in the past last little stretch but we’ve been focusing on what we can do and how we go about it.

“For myself it’s 24 hours, 36 hours after the game that I get myself back in shape in terms of energy and demeanour around the group and (I) really focus (on making sure) that I don’t push my frustration, or the energy that I have is not contagious within the group, and I think the coaching staff is doing a good job of that too.”

While the Rabbitohs are languishing in last place, they have won all four of their Magic Round games and will be buoyed by celebrating Jack Wighton’s 250th NRL appearance.

Jack Wighton will play his 250th game. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Payten said the key to containing the South Sydney attack would be keeping close tabs on Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell.

“I don’t think a lot has changed for them over the past couple of years and around the way they play in attack,” Payten said.

“A focal point will be Cody (Walker) and Latrell (Mitchell) so we’ve got to ID that, move accordingly and make the tackles.

“Their big forwards roll up the field pretty well. They’re pretty conservative out of their own end and they try to build pressure with completing sets and putting some (kicks to) corners.

“So our attitude will be the same, we’ll want to do the same to them and work harder, outwork them, out-compete them and keep turning up for each other.”

The Cowboys play South Sydney on Saturday night, kick-off at 7.45pm.

Originally published as Todd Payten feeling the pressure as North Queensland Cowboys brace for Brisbane battle