Put your money on Eels, says Green
COWBOYS coach Paul Green has declared the Eels as “certainties” to win tonight’s door-die finals clash, even as they prepare to welcome back centre Justin O’Neill.
North Queensland will make their decision today on whether the star back will play against Parramatta but the signs are looking promising after he completed yesterday’s captain’s run in Sydney.
O’Neill, who dislocated his elbow in Round 23, will provide the Cowboys with a major boost for their must-win final if he plays, but coach Paul Green said the club first have to see how he feels this morning.
“He got through training so we’ll see how he pulls up,” Green said.
“I’m not sure if Justin is in or out yet ... we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”
However, even if O’Neill does return for the Cowboys, Green said his side are the definite underdogs heading into the finals clash at ANZ Stadium.
After last week upsetting Cronulla, Green said no one was giving his team a chance against Parramatta, but that was just how the Cowboys liked it.
“Parramatta have been the form team leading into the competition,” he said.
“They towelled the Broncos up at Suncorp, which is not an easy thing to do, and they took Melbourne to the wire last week.
“They’re probably certainties (tonight).
“There’s no pressure of expectation on us, which is a good position to be in. We have nothing to lose, no one expects too much of us.”
Aside from the possible inclusion of O’Neill, the Cowboys are not expected to make any other changes for tonight’s game.
Meanwhile, Cowboys forward Coen Hess says he has overcome post-Origin fatigue and has set his sights on becoming a Test bolter for Australia’s World Cup campaign.
Hess three months ago produced a stunning burst of form to clinch a Queensland State of Origin debut at the age of 20.
Australia coach Mal Meninga will name a 24-man squad for the World Cup next month and Hess is one of several emerging stars in the mix to clinch a berth as a Kangaroos development player.