Payten praises NQ’S returning Toad stars
MAROONS HEROES HOLMES, DEARDEN, GILBERT AND NANAI REVEL IN RETURN AFTER ORIGIN TRIUMPH
THE Cowboys’ Queensland quartet of State of Origin superstars have been given a rap by coach Todd Payten ahead of Friday night’s crucial NRL clash with the Cronulla Sharks at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Payten said he expected Valentine Holmes, Tom Dearden, Tom Gilbert, and Jeremiah Nanai to all play a part against the fourthplaced Sharks as the Cowboys, who are second on the ladder, look to keep the pressure on Penrith.
Payten said on Thursday: “I thought our boys were exceptional, but I am not surprised.
“I am really happy for them and the first discussion with them postmatch is that all the bodies are good, so that’s a good sign.”
Holmes scored a try off the back of a Dearden pass, while Nanai was also prominent, and Gilbert played more minutes than was expected because of an early head injury to Lindsay Collins.
Payten said was full of praise for all four of his players as Queensland won the State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium 22-12.
“Tommy Dearden took the game on, and he didn’t look overawed in any way, shape, or form,” he said.
“I liked the fact that he came out with a smile on his face just prior to kick-off and enjoyed the moment.
“Tommy Gilbert was thrown into the action early which probably surprised him, and Jeremiah had some classy involvements which we see from week to week.
“For a 19-year-old kid to stand up in big moments like that, is good for him. It’s great for our club.”
Payten said 21-year-old Dearden’s dream debut came on the back of hard work on the training ground for the halfback who came in for Cameron Munster at short notice after the Melbourne Storm star tested positive for Covid last week.
“You have to admire the kid because of the way he goes about his business,” he said.
“It’s not like it’s a fluke. He works hard every day. And guys that work hard will tip things in their favour.”
The four Queensland stars flew into Townsville on Thursday afternoon and were welcomed by a small crowd of Cowboys fans.
Origin veteran Holmes, who scored the opening try in the incredible win from a Dearden pass, said he had not experienced anything like it in front of a huge crowd of more than 52,000.
“That’s probably one of the best games I have ever been a part of,” the Cowboys centre admitted.
“Running out it was spine-tingling with everyone cheering. I love playing in that atmosphere, it was pretty cool.”
Dearden said his first game for his state could not have gone better.
“Getting a chance to debut at Suncorp and to be able to get the win like that, it’s a dream come true,” he said.
“It’s something you dream of as a kid, but you don’t really know what it’s going to be like.
“It’s hard to describe. You hear the crowd roar and it’s such a proud moment to run out in front of a crowd like that.
“I had the nerves, but I think that just comes from being a dream of mine to run out in a Maroons jersey.
“But I loved every minute of it.” Moving forward to the clash with the Sharks, Payten was expecting a tough battle from Craig Fitzgibbon’s fourth-placed team.
“They’ve got a lot of strike power and move the ball,” he said.
“So, we’re going to have to be strong defensively. And we need to limit their opportunities.
“It’s the same story every week really, particularly against good teams, and they’re a good team.
“It’s going to be fast. It’s a physical game of war.”
Cowboys co-captain Chad Townsend has overcome a bout of gastro which stopped him from joining the Blues squad this week.
Payten confirmed the exSharks halfback would play against his old team and would give his side a few insights into the opposition.
“I haven’t seen him since he’s left Origin, but I think he would be super excited,” Payten said before training. “He will have a bit of detail to give to us. It’s been a funny week for us. We haven’t given them (the players) any vision.
“We focused on ourselves and just the main parts of our game, and the areas that we need to tick off every week.
“We’re going to dump some vision on the players beforehand. So, you know, we might be in a video room a little bit longer.
“As usual, Chad’s pretty prominent in those discussions, and I reckon he’ll give us some more information today than usual.”