MARTIN THE MAN
Clifford overlooked in Green’s first team of the NRL season
RUGBY LEAGUE COWBOYS playmaker Te Maire Martin has won the race for the club’s five-eighth spot over Jake Clifford after being named to start in Saturday’s season opener against the Dragons.
Martin will play alongside newly minted Cowboys captain Michael Morgan in the team unveiled by Cowboys coach Paul Green, who also named Nene MacDonald in his side despite the former Dragon facing a one-match penalty for missing a recent training session.
Clifford and Martin shared gametime in the Cowboys’ two trial games, with Green opting for Martin’s 48 games of NRL experience.
Martin and Morgan also formed an impressive halves combination during the Cowboys’ against-theodds run to the 2017 grand final without Johnathan Thurston.
“They played a bit of footy together through that year so hopefully that will help,” Green said.
“Jake’s progressing nicely but he still just has to get a bit more consistency at NRL level, but there’s not much between them.
“It’s good, healthy competition, which I’ve said all pre-season.”
MacDonald takes his place in a Cowboys backline missing centre Kyle Feldt, who suffered a groin strain at training last week.
MacDonald impressed for feeder club the Northern Pride in the Queensland Cup last weekend, scoring a try and making a number of strong carries.
“He’s had some challenges through the preseason, but he’s done what we’ve asked him to do recently,” Green said.
“It’s a process for him; it’s a new club (and) and it’s a new way of doing things.
“Time will tell there, but he’s certainly doing the right things and doing his best to try and tidy up that part of his game.”
Former Broncos centre Tom Opacic also earned a start in the backline along with Javid Bowen and Jordan Kahu, who will start at fullback as expected, while Ben Hampton is the 18th man.
“That was probably one of the toughest decisions, whether or not to go with him (Hampton) or Tom (Opacic),” Green said.
“But as I’ve said before, the team will hopefully pick itself by how we play.”
Green also faced selection headaches in the forwards, handing props Matt Scott and Jordan McLean starting roles ahead of fellow Test forward Josh McGuire, who takes his place on the bench alongside Josh Asiata, Mitch Dunn and Francis Molo.