’TOO NICE’ TO

Cowboys denied chance to salute Green with win

TODD Payten has expressed his disappointment in the Cowboys, who turned in their worst defensive performance of the season on Saturday just days after the passing of past premiership-winning coach Paul Green.

The Cowboys dedicated their match against the Roosters to Green’s memory but were “too nice” in the 32-18 thrashing as a hungry Roosters pack ran through the heart of North Queensland’s defence.

It was the first time this season the Cowboys had conceded 30 points in a match.

Roosters front-rowers Matt Lodge, Jared WaereaHargreaves and Sam Verrills scored four tries between them as ball-playing lock

Victor Radley served up a best-on-ground performance.

“I thought we got punched in the face a couple of times,” Payten said.

“We talked about performing well, for Paul and his family, and it’s disappointing on the back of that we weren’t able to play the way that we wanted to.

“It’s been a difficult couple of days, but that’s in no way an excuse for not being able to get a job done when you hit the field.”

Payten (pictured) refused to accept excuses after the team’s disappointing loss at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

“In the end, we were just beaten in the ruck. We were probably too nice in a lot of moments, and we played a hungry team who know how to win,” Payten said.

“When they put their foot on the throat they don’t take it off, and that’s what happened today. We got a lesson in finals football four weeks out from the finals and, yeah, we’re going to have to get better.”

Cowboys co-captain Jason Taumalolo was emotional in the post-match conference, saying he had “no words” to express what’s happened over the last few days.