Cowboys halfback out to prove winning effort was no fluke
He’s North Queensland’s man of the moment, but halfback Jake Clifford insists he’s not about to let his match-winning play go to his head as the Cowboys look to knock off another top-four side this weekend.
Clifford took control in the clutch moments against reigning premiers the Roosters last weekend as he iced a 35-metre field goal followed by a penalty in the final minute to seal a 15-12 victory. The 21-year-old also scored his side’s opening try with a silky piece of solo work, slicing back off the right foot and baffling the Roosters defence, while his kicking game was on point.
It was a breakthrough performance for Clifford without chief playmaker Michael Morgan while makeshift fiveeighth John Asiata also impressed, scoring just his fourth try in 109 NRL games as the Cowboys drew level inside the final 10 minutes.
Clifford has copped plenty of friendly banter from his team mates who allege he won’t stop talking about his performance, but the young half said he was focused on proving it was no fluke against the second-placed Rabbitohs at 1300SMILES Stadium on Saturday night.
“I can definitely take a lot of confidence, but having one good game I need to back it up now and that’s what the challenge is for me on Saturday,” Clifford said. “I really enjoy having the halfback role, especially without ‘Morgo’. I can take control there and I need to take control.
“Johnny chipped in very well when he needed to kick, but I love taking on the role of the kicking duties and getting my hands on the ball in yardage and in good ball.
“A lot of people can say the halfback’s the more controlling one and the five-eighth’s the runner, but if we’re both working together it’s a bit of a team thing with the six and the seven. It’s just what me and Johnny have to do.”
Rabbitohs halves Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker will also be brimming with confidence after leading their side to a 21-20 win over the Sea Eagles last weekend to snap a four-game losing streak.
Clifford stepped up to outshine premiership-winning Roosters duo Cooper Cronk and Luke Keary and he was ready to embrace the challenge against another of the NRL’S premier halves pairings.
“When he’s on song he (Reynolds) can put some teams under the pump, especially with his kicking and controlling game,” Clifford said.