Clifford fully backs plan to sign Kahu
COWBOYS young gun Jake Clifford says the club would be boosted by the signing of Brisbane Bronco Jordan Kahu if he makes the move north.
The Cowboys have identified Kahu as a frontline option to replace Ben Barba at fullback and negotiations have begun with his management to broker an immediate release from the Broncos.
Young playmaker Clifford said having Kahu in the Cowboys’ No.1 jersey would be a good addition to the team.
“I haven’t heard too much about it but he’s a very good player and if he does come to the club, he’s going to be another good addition and he’ll be pushing for that fullback spot if he does come,” he said.
“If we do go on the market and buy someone, they’re going to buy someone that fits into our structure of play.”
It follows the sacking of Barba on February 1.
Barba will begin driving trucks in his home city of Mackay on Monday after receiving an NRL life ban.
The expected release of Ethan Lowe to South Sydney will also free up salary cap space for the Cowboys to sign Kiwi-international Kahu.
Clifford yesterday said he had not been told anything about Lowe’s potential move south.
It comes as the 21-year-old is set to secure a starting halves spot for the Cowboys in next week’s trial match against the Gold Coast Titans on the Sunshine Coast.
Clifford will have the chance to cement the starting five-eighth jersey for the season following the retirement of Johnathan Thurston and Michael Morgan’s shift to No.7.
Clifford played six games in the NRL last season and said he was itching to get on to the paddock for the first trial match on February 23.
“It’s been a very big preseason and everyone’s getting itchy feet so if I do get to play in that trial, I’ll be stoked,” he said.
Clifford will be fighting for a permanent spot in the halves with Cowboys utility Te Maire Martin.
Martin played 23 games for the Cowboys last year, rotating between five-eighth, fullback and off the bench.
“Te (Maire Martin) is a very good player,” Clifford said.
“The whole preseason we’ve been at each other and training really well and just competing for that spot so come trials time, hopefully (we) get to play alongside each other and push for that spot.”