Nothing to lose against ‘favourites’ says Green
COWBOYS coach Paul Green has pulled a page out of the Queensland State of Origin playbook by rating the Eels “certainties” for tonight’s NRL semi-final and claiming underdog status.
Green has ramped up the mind games in a bid to take the pressure off the Cowboys, even as they welcome back centre Justin O’Neill, who dislocated his elbow in Round 23.
North Queensland will decide today on whether he will play against Parramatta, but the signs are looking promising after he completed yesterday’s captain’s run in Sydney.
Green said the club first has to see how he feels this morning.
“He got through training so we’ll see how he pulls up,” Green said.
“I’m not sure if Justin is in or out yet ... we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”
Even if O’Neill did return, Green said his side were underdogs heading into the clash at ANZ Stadium.
Despite upsetting Cronulla on Sunday, Green said the Cowboys had been given little chance against Parramatta, but that did not bother his players.
“Parramatta have been the form team leading into the competition,” he said.
“They towelled the Broncos up at Suncorp (Stadium), which is not an easy thing to do, and they took Melbourne to the wire last week.
“They’re probably certainties (tonight).
“There’s no pressure of expectation on us, which is a good position to be in. “We have nothing to lose. “No one expects too much of us.”
Aside from the possible inclusion of O’Neill, the club is not expected to make any other changes.