CHRISTIAN MUST CLEAN UP HIS GAME FOR NORTHERN PRIDE’S SAKE

IT WAS not quite the fairytale return for the Northern Pride but Julian Christian showed why he is considered the lead fullback for this Hostplus Cup side.

His coach Ty Williams said Christian was “sound” throughout the 34-10 loss to the Capras in Rockhampton, his first Hostplus Cup game since round 2.

Christian ran for 111m from 14 carries, made nine tackles, busted three tackles and laid on a try for Shawn Bowen.

But he also spent 10 minutes in the sin bin for a totally avoidable offence – mouthing off to the ref.

Christian was warned about it in the first half, but when the utility back disagreed with a ruling in the 49th minute, he let the referee know what he thought of the call.

The ref rightly sent Christian for a rest, and his teammates were forced to absorb yet another 10 minutes for what was a totally avoidable issue.

Jedidiah Simbiken made the Pride pay almost immediately as the Capras took advantage of the overlap to extend the home side’s lead.

Christian’s try assist for Bowen came one minute after he returned to the field, but he should never have left it.

It is the second time in three Hostplus Cup games Christian has been sin-binned – the other was a professional foul against Ipswich – and it’s an area he has to clean up to give his side its best chance of another breakthrough victory.

With defence and discipline being the two biggest areas letting down the Pride, it could prove the big difference.