CLIFFORD UNLEASHED
CLIFFORD TO MAKE HIS NRL DEBUT
COWBOYS youngster Jake Clifford’s star showing for the Queensland under- 20s has finally bashed down the NRL door with the precocious half set to make his debut against the Dragons tonight.
His two- try man- of- the- match performance for the Maroons was enough to convince Cowboys coach Paul Green to blood the Tully Tigers product.
The 20- year- old looks set to debut off the bench with Ben Hampton shifting to fullback, and Lachlan Coote dropping back to Queensland Cup with the Mackay Cutters.
In a season to forget for the Cowboys, Clifford’s rapid progression has been a highlight and he has spearheaded the Northern Pride to fifth on the Queensland Cup table. While Green stopped short of rating Clifford a definite starter this morning, he is set to play as a bench utility.
COWBOYS youngster Jake Clifford’s star showing for the Queensland under- 20s has finally bashed down the NRL door with the precocious half set to make his debut against the Dragons tonight.
His two- try man- of- thematch performance for the Maroons was enough to convince Cowboys coach Paul Green to blood the Tully Tigers product.
The 20- year- old looks set to debut off the bench with Ben Hampton shifting to fullback, and Lachlan Coote dropping back to Queensland Cup with Mackay Cutters.
In a season to forget for the Cowboys, Clifford’s rapid progression has been a highlight and he has spearheaded Northern Pride to fifth on the Queensland Cup table.
While Green stopped short of rating Clifford a definite starter yesterday, he is set to play as a bench utility.
“I’d say more than likely ( he’ll play),” Green said.
“We’re just thinking it through, it’s only a matter of time before he makes his debut with the year he’s had.
“With the Dragons being one of the top teams you don’t want to throw him into the deep end, but I’ve got full confidence if we go that way that he’ll handle it.
“It’s one of the best parts of the job ( handing players debuts).
“You see these young guys work so hard to get an opportunity.”
Clifford has all the assets to forge a long NRL career, and has a huge chance to cement a first grade spot for next year after Johnathan Thurston retires.
He is a goal kicker, a strong ball runner, a solid defender and has a huge kicking game.
Clifford also took it upon himself to be a leader for the Queensland under- 20s, who beat New South Wales for the first time last week.
“He’s come back a lot more confident from that,” Green said.
“I know it’s only the under- 20s, but Queensland hasn’t won in a while and he was man of the match.
“All year he’s done what’s asked of him. We spoke about spending most of the year with the Pride, and he’s done a really good job.
“He’s got a bit of cheek about him too, which you want in your halfbacks.”
The Cowboys are in danger of winning the wooden spoon after Parramatta’s win over Canterbury last night allowed the Eels to join North Queensland and Canterbury in equal last on 10 points.
They will be desperate to ensure they avoid propping up the ladder in Thurston’s farewell season.
“We were pretty disappointed with the last 10 or 11 minutes ( in last week’s 38- 12 loss in Canberra),” Green said.
“That hasn’t been in our game for years. For whatever reason ( it happened), I’d like to see a reaction this week.”
The Cowboys are on a four- game losing streak and are looking to avoid five straight losses at home for the first time since 2008.