Cowboys coach Todd Payten has returned serve at a journalist questioning his facet’s angle at coaching throughout the week after they have been bested by the Sharks in Round 25.
North Queensland held a 12-6 lead after 23 minutes however leaked 26 unanswered factors to depart their finals hopes in a dire state.
The Cowboys may get left within the prime eight’s wake and at present sit on 28 factors, whereas the Knights and Rabbitohs sit on 29 and 28 respectively with a sport in hand.
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Payten was quizzed if his “relaxed” strategy to coaching forward North Queensland’s essential conflict contributed to a poor efficiency.
“We hear the preparation this week was pretty relaxed, was that a mistake?” the journalist requested.
“Were you at training?” Payten quipped.
“I think I heard some pre-match conversations, Jason said it as well that it was a bit more a relaxed week,” the journalist replied.
“Our training sessions were short, sharp and intense. Our group respond better when they are relaxed,” Payten mentioned.
“If I’m amped up or I am consistently in to our players we know that pushes my energy on to them and they tighten up.
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“There was no mucking around or hijinx, everyone was focused and got their job done. We were just outplayed in the end.
“We put ourselves under some pressure and played a good team.”
He additionally revealed Jeremiah Nanai’s “brave” efforts to take the sphere, having to have a number of painkilling injections to function in opposition to the Sharks.
The backrow star suffered a high-grade AC joint blow in opposition to the Eels in Round 21 and was anticipated to overlook one other week.
“It was pretty brave from the kid, he needed to get needled to train, needled before the game and at halftime,” Payten mentioned.
“Makes us a better team so he will be sore. He’s got eight days to get himself going again before we play the Dolphins on Friday night.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
