PAYTEN A COWBOY
The right man for the job
A 90-MINUTE interview and the New Zealand Warriors’ resurgence was enough to convince North Queensland heavyweights that Todd Payten was the man to lead the Cowboys out of the NRL doldrums.
Payten was on Friday announced as the new coach of the Cowboys, replacing premiership-winner Paul Green on a three-year deal.
Payten will join the Cowboys on November 1 and be tasked with guiding the club out of the NRL’s cellar.
After winning the 2015 NRL premiership and losing the 2017 grand final, the Cowboys have been languishing near the bottom of the ladder, prompting the sacking of Green in July.
Payten, 41, has taken the Australia-based Warriors to ninth on the NRL table after stepping up as interim coach following Stephen Kearney’s dismissal in June.
Cowboys chairman Lewis Ramsay said Payten’s resume, the Warriors’ performances and a compelling job interview were enough to see him trump 20 applicants for the role.
“After Paul left the phones and email inboxes were running hot, everyone knew we were in the market for a head coach,” he said.
“Over 90 minutes you develop a position. Anyone who’s been through an interview process as a panellist you understand you’re expected to land on an outcome.
“You’d be lying if you didn’t look at performances, current and past, of any candidate.
“There’s always their history, what they do in the interview process and their referees as well. That all combines for a final decision.”
Payten beat former Gold Coast Titans coach John Cartwright, interim Cowboys coach Josh Hannay and England Test mentor Shaun Wane for the post following the final round of interviews.
Payten played in the Wests Tigers’ 2005 NRL grand final win against the Cowboys and was a member of Green’s coaching staff from 2015-18 before heading across the Tasman.
Payten knocked back the opportunity to replace Kearney at the Warriors full-time and said he was looking forward to working with the Cowboys’ young roster.
“I’m excited for the opportunity which lies ahead for myself and my family,” Payten said.
“Returning to this club, town and region is something which makes us extremely happy.
“I see a huge amount of upside within the Cowboys organisation and it is my job to see that eventuate into results on the field.
“Developing the players within the club to be good footballers and good men along with playing a style of football our members and supporters can be proud of will be my main focus.”
Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel admitted Hannay was disappointed to miss out on the job but was committed to coaching the team in the final four rounds of the NRL season.
The Cowboys are on a ninematch losing streak and in danger of collecting the wooden spoon heading into Sunday’s game against the Dragons in Townsville.