‘Let me finish’: Touching moment Cowboys coach broke Origin news to stunned players

Footage has emerged of the moment Cowboys coach Todd Payten informed his team six North Queensland players had been picked for Queensland.

Cowboys players left stunned Origin

Cowboys coach Todd Payten has been captured telling his team who had been selected in Billy Slater’s Maroons side in heartwarming vision.

Six North Queensland players were included in the Queensland squad, three in the starting 17 and three on the extended bench.

The Maroons rookie coach revealed that Payten has asked if he was able to deliver the good news himself while in a team camp on the Gold Coast.

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“I didn’t actually tell the Cowboys guys, they were in camp on the Gold Coast as a team and Todd Payten actually asked if they could announce it to the group,” Slater said.

“I thought it was a really special moment for that group, you know Todd Payten especially has done a whole heap for those young guys.

“I just felt it was important for them to feel that emotion as a group, because they have helped those individuals get to this level.”

The Cowboys released vision of the unforgettable moment on Twitter with the caption, “the moment the boys found out they had been selected in the Maroons squad”.

Six Cowboys players were picked in Queensland’s squad.

Todd Payten congratulates his players.

“Just got off the phone to Billy, the Queensland coach, and I am so happy to say we have six players involved in Origin this year,” Payten said as cheers broke out.

“Let me finish, let me finish.

“We have three in the 17 and we have three in the extended bench, so making their Origin debuts...”

Payten then reaches out his hand to cult-hero Reuben Cotter as his teammates erupt into cheers.

Young gun Jeremiah Nanai then stands out, shaking Payten’s hand before the pair share a hug.

“Val will join them in camp… 18th man and a part of their squad will be Tommy Dearden,” Payten said.

The 21-year-old looked visibly shocked as teammates Scott Drinkwater and Reece Robson erupt into cheers for the former Bronco.

“F**k yeah,” Drinkwater said.

“Hamiso and another fresh face in Origin,” Payten said as he shakes Murray Taulagi’s hand.

Originally published as ‘Let me finish’: Touching moment Cowboys coach broke Origin news to stunned players