Green sees red as halves bear brunt

COWBOYS coach Paul Green is confident star halves pairing Michael Morgan and Johnathan Thurston will soon find their mojo and labelled concerns over their slow start to the year as “ridiculous”.

Morgan revealed after last week’s home loss to Penrith that he had confided in Thurston on what he requires from him to improve their combination.

The Cowboys squad returned to training yesterday after four days off to mentally recharge before they take on the unbeaten Warriors in Auckland on Saturday.

North Queensland has lost its past three games but Green is confident it won’t be long before the halves click.

Thurston missed most of last year with a shoulder injury while Morgan sat out the first two games this season with a stomach issue.

“They’re both good players and there’s no reason to have any doubt about that. It’s a little bit ridiculous to be talking about it, to be honest,” Green said yesterday.

“They’re both good players, their combination will click. Morgo’s second game back (against Penrith), I thought he put himself in the game more than the first game.

“If he keeps improving eventually it will click for us, and watch out when it does.

“He (Morgan) is not confused about his role, it’s not the issue. In some ways they’re too nice for each other, neither one wants to step on the other’s toes.

“They’ve just got to play footy and support each other and help each other, that’s the main issue.”

Scott Bolton returns to the starting side in place of bigname recruit Jordan McLean, who is set to miss at least three months with an ankle injury, with Corey Jensen promoted to the bench.

Fullback Lachlan Coote was named as a reserve after making his return from a hamstring injury for Mackay Cutters last week.

But Green indicated he is most likely to play at least one more Queensland Cup match before being recalled to the NRL.

“Yes he is (under consideration), (but) I’d say just give him another game to get that confidence in his hamstring,” Green said.