Cutter Coote content to play his waiting game
COWBOYS fullback Lachlan Coote has stopped short of declaring he’s ready for an NRL call- up against the surging Warriors in Auckland despite a solid return from a hamstring injury in Mackay Cutters’ 22- 16 loss to the Northern Pride.
The No. 1 had little chance to get involved as his side fumbled through the first half at Barlow Park on Saturday night, but stepped up in the second with his array of attacking skills.
Coote, who often bobbed up at dummy- half in the opposition 20m zone, even scored a try after he broke one tackle and carried another over the line to start a Cutters comeback.
That and a few goalkicking attempts, which he missed badly, gave some idea of the confidence in his hamstring but was tentative when asked if he was ready to step back into Cowboys colours.
The Cowboys attack struggled to click in Thursday’s 33- 14 home loss to Penrith, their third straight defeat.
Coote’s ball- playing ability would take some welcome pressure off halves Johnathan Thurston and Michael Morgan, who are yet to fire after Thurston’s return from a shoulder injury this year.
“I felt really good out there. Obviously the second half was better than the first confidence- wise I guess and it was really good to get a run and get a full 80 minutes under the belt,” Coote said.
“I felt good there chiming in at the back and getting my skills right and back where it was.”
The 27- year- old said he was unsure if he’d done enough to break into Paul Green’s 17 to face the Warriors, but seemed happy to bide his time.
Green hinted this week Coote might spend “a couple of games” at the Cutters rather than rush him back to the No. 1, happy with the job of Mareeba’s Ben Hampton at the back since the start of the season.
Coote said more Intrust Super Cup minutes would give him the opportunity to perfect his general play kicking, of which he did little on Saturday.
“I’m not too sure there. Maybe I need a few more minutes there. I’m not too sure what ( Green) is thinking.
“We’ll just keep rolling with the punches and seeing where I end up,” he said.
“Obviously, the passing game and chiming and reading the game just sort of come naturally but a little bit more skills and my kicking game is something we need to work on a bit.”