Tully talent Clifford targets Thurston’s spot

The 20-year-old only added to the hype after scoring two individual tries and setting up two more, which will further fuel calls for the Tully product to be given an NRL debut late this season.

Fellow Cowboys Murray Taulagi and Kurt Wiltshire also featured in the Maroons side that beat the Blues for the first time since the concept was introduced in 2012.

Clifford has ticked every box in his progression thus far.

After being named the under-20 competition’s player of the year last season, he has been superb in his first Queensland Cup campaign with Northern Pride this year.

He is biding his time behind Cowboys halves pairing Thurston and Te Maire Martin and has set himself the goal of replacing the retiring Thurston next year.

But there remains an outside chance he may be blooded this year, with the Cowboys already out of finals contention.

“I think he’d handle it ... he’s playing well enough to have a crack,” Morgan said.

“I don’t think we’d throwing him in not ready.

“He’s shown in the Q Cup this year playing against men for the first time (with Northern Pride) that he’s able to handle the week-to-week grind. be

“I’m sure it won’t be too far away until we see him in a Cowboys jersey.”

Asked if he’d be content to play five-eighth if coach Paul Green opted for Clifford next year, Morgan said: “If that was how Greeny wanted to go, he’d have his reasons why and I’d be fine to do it.

“Whatever Greeny thinks is best for the team, I’m happy to do.

“He’s not your typical half.

“He’s got a strong running game and a very big boot on him.

“He’s just smart and plays above his years.

“I was talking to (Queensland twenties coach) Justin Hodges (yesterday) and he said from the moment they got into camp, you could tell he was going to be a leader in their group. “He’s progressing nicely.” Cowboys assistant coach David Fairleigh said Clifford would be part of the Cowboys’ future.

“Right now we’ve got Johnathan and Te Maire in the halves, but Jake certainly is a player we’ve got our eye on for the future, and is obviously a big part of the Cowboys’ future.

“I think no doubt he’s capable of playing first grade, whether it’s a 14 (bench utility) role, or if one of the halves go down.”