Green says new signing will fill forward gap left by Hannant, Tamou Fensom gets a welcome
COWBOYS coach Paul Green spoke glowingly about incoming forward Shaun Fensom just hours before the club finally confirmed the former Raider was on his way.
Green confirmed the Cowboys had been seeking Fensom’s services to add balance to North Queensland’s pack following the losses of James Tamou ( Panthers) and Ben Hannant ( retired).
Fensom met with his man- agement in Canberra on Thursday and will join North Queensland in the coming days on a two- year deal, in time for a potential debut in next weekend’s season opener against his old club Canberra.
Green was on hand for the Cowboys season launch at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre yesterday, which featured a speech from Australian war veteran and Paralympian Damian Thomlinson.
Fensom has played the vast majority of his 139 NRL games at lock, having played all but one of 121 games since early 2011 in the No. 13.
He will fill a new role in the Cowboys’ middle third, given his favoured position there is occupied by last year’s joint Dally M medal winner Jason Taumalolo.
But Green is confident that Fensom can help fill the void left by Hannant and Tamou.
“I definitely think he can play a part there,” Green said.
“Those younger guys can certainly bring some power into our game, and as I said Shaun probably balances us out.”
While Green was happy to talk about Fensom he quickly shut down speculation the Cowboys were in talks with Melbourne forward Jordan McLean.
“No, not about that,” Green said.
“But we’ve said all along that we’ll look at anyone in those positions, particularly the front row who are coming on the market.”
Retention and recruitment remains hindered under the salary cap uncertainty, with a question mark still over the salary cap figure that has resulted in stars including Johnathan Thurston unable to sign new playing deals.
Green was brief in response when asked if the salary cap issue was close to being resolved.
“I don’t think they are ... try being in my shoes,” he said.
The Cowboys’ pre- season officially ended yesterday following the team’s five- day New Zealand camp, but Green said he had not settled on his final 17.
Apart from his frontrow puzzle is the three- way competition between Kalyn Ponga, Javid Bowen and Gideon GelaMosby for Antonio Winterstein’s right wing position, with Winterstein ( ankle) facing a minimum two weeks on the sidelines.
“It’s not confirmed yet that he’s out at this stage ... but I haven’t decided who will take his place,” Green said.
“Those three names probably feature.” will