Cowboys coach Todd Payten has defined the reasoning behind leaving two contemporary gamers on the bench at some stage in his aspect’s 18-16 win over the Knights.
In a efficiency Payten described as “brave”, the Cowboys eked out a win towards an in-form Knights aspect with out turning to bench gamers Mitchell Dunn and Tom Chester in any respect all through the sport.
On prime of that, the Cowboys performed with 12 on the sector for 10 minutes when winger Murray Taulagi was sin binned for a late hit which Payten described as “not a smart decision.”
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Payten mentioned a “plan” with returning prop Jordan McLean and an harm to star again rower Jeremiah Nanai upset the workforce’s common interchange technique.
“On medical advice with Jordan (McLean) coming back from a hamstring injury, we wanted shorter stints from him so we devised a plan to use him in four 15 minute stints at the start and end in each half,” Payten mentioned.
“Miah’s (Jeremiah Nanai) injury late in the first half threw a cat among the pigeons. So when he was ready to come back on, that took Tommy Chester’s late interchange away.
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“And then with about 7-8 minutes to go, we had an opportunity to put Dunny (Mitchell Dunn) on but we just felt we needed out most experienced and best players out on the pitch.
“It never sits well with me but those two blokes understood and understand it’s about the team. They’re Cowboys.”
Fox League’s Cooper Cronk mentioned post-game that Payten would have been “relieved”.
“It’s a huge call as a coach to leave two fresh guys when you need energy and leg speed to make your tackles towards the back end of the game,” Cronk mentioned.
Source: www.foxsports.com.au