PRIDE TAKE SHOW ON ROAD

ANOTHER round, another road trip.

Round 19 of the QRL Intrust Super Cup sees the Pride head to Cooktown during Country Week.

Nearing the end of a sevenweek away period, Coach Ty Williams is keen on preserving the team’s energy.

After another roster reshuffle, Sheldon Hobbs, David Murphy and William Bugden are featured to face Ipswich.

Williams is no doubt hoping to capitalise on the qualities that saw them hold their own during the loss to the PNG Hunters last week.

“We weren’t dismal in what we did, there were massive improvements on the weekend,” Williams said.

“We weren’t far off, we knew we were going to plateau a little bit.

“I thought Sheldon (Hobbs) Murphy and Bugden were outstanding considering the conditions, the heat and the physicality,”

“Those three boys really stood up. We are definitely thinking about using those boys this week.”

He said Ipswich, like PNG, had quick legs. “Ipswich is a fairly fast outfit,” he said.

Meanwhile Jake Clifford has not been rushed into the Cowboys ranks just yet.

Williams said Clifford needed to mend an injured shoulder before making decisions.

“The shoulder last week was from the Origin game,” Williams said.

“He has had three reconstructions.

“For a young fella that is a lot.

“I think he has to get through the week before he considers where he goes.”

He was careful to keep his options open about the talented halfback.

“If (Paul) Greenie doesn’t use him we’ll take him back,” Williams said.

“We are lacking a bit in the goal kicking – it would be nice to have him back.

“He has an opportunity to go to the big time and we have gone out of our way to give him that opportunity.”

Cowboys coach Paul Green told QRL media he wanted to wait until the right moment to give Clifford his NRL debut.

“At this stage it’s probably looking unlikely,” he said.