Green cops boot from every angle
COWBOYS coach Paul Green has suffered a double blow, yesterday hit with a breach notice by the NRL on the same day he lost two key players for Saturday night’s crucial clash against Penrith.
Injury is threatening to derail North Queensland’s title drive with Origin backrower Gavin Cooper (calf) and winger Antonio Winterstein (hamstring) to miss the trip to Pepper Stadium.
Green’s pain was com- pounded by the NRL formally issuing a proposed $10,000 fine following the Cowboys coach’s savage attack on the match officials in last Friday’s 26-8 loss to Melbourne.
Green accused referees Ashley Klein and Alan Shortall of ruining the contest with the “worst refereeing display ever”. The Cowboys have five business days to respond.
“The comments by Paul Green about the officials were unprompted,” the
NRL’s head of football Brian Canavan said.
“As with recent comments by (Dragons’ Paul McGregor) which resulted in a breach notice, these statements crossed the line.
“We will continue to ensure the integrity of the referees is protected in the lead up to and during the finals.”
In a further concern for Green, senior duo Cooper and Winterstein are facing two weeks on the sidelines.
Although prop Scott Bolton (elbow) and five-eighth Te Maire Martin (knee) appear all but certain to line up against Penrith.