Some might follow Green out the door

RUGBY LEAGUE: Cowboys assistant coach Todd Payten has conceded off- contract stars may wait until the Paul Green saga is resolved before deciding whether to sign on the dotted line, after chairman Laurence Lancini’s threat to pull the coach’s threeyear contract offer.

Frustrated by protracted negotiations over the past six months, Lancini has told the

Courier Mail he wants an answer from the 2015 premiership-winning coach “sooner rather than later”.

“Otherwise we will move on,” Lancini said.

“Paul is absolutely my preference, I don’t want him to go, but we can only do a deal if both parties agree to it and at the moment we’re not there.

“Up until now, we haven’t spoken to any other coach but it will get to the stage where we will have no other choice but to find someone else.”

Payten fronted media yesterday before the team flew out to prepare for Saturday’s clash with the Warriors in Auckland, where the visitors will be desperate to snap a three-game losing streak.

He said he was shocked by Lancini’s public ultimatum, but didn’t believe it would distract the team.

Asked if players might hold off signing until the matter was resolved, Payten said: “It’s a possibility. I think Greeny’s had a big influence on all the players at the club.”