Kyle calling on a legend
ROOKIE Cowboys playmaker Kyle Laybutt will turn to Johnathan Thurston as he fights to prove he can replace the North Queensland legend.
Laybutt has played the past two games for the Cowboys but is under pressure to keep his spot in the halves following the arrival of Te Maire Martin in Townsville.
The Cowboys snared Martin from Penrith to provide playmaking cover and it has proven an astute signing after Thurston’s season was ended by a shoulder injury suffered in Origin II.
Martin, a former Kiwis Test representative, was a highlyrated under- 20s talent who failed to kick on at the foot of the Blue Mountains, managing just 13 NRL appearances.
But he is in the frame to make his debut for the Cowboys in Canberra on Saturday after coach Paul Green refused to guarantee Laybutt’s position.
Green must find a solution in partnering Michael Morgan for the remainder of 2017 if the Cowboys are to mount a title charge without Thurston.
Laybutt, 21, was a passenger for much of last Saturday’s win against the Panthers and will seek advice from Thurston to secure his position.
“I will go to Johnno first thing ( this) week and ask him a few things defensively and how to get into the game,” he said.
“I was a bit disappointed with my performance, but it was a good win for the boys.
“I didn’t get in the game in the first half. I was pretty filthy with that.
“I need to be more confident and dominant. Hopefully, that will come with time.
“I need to get a bit more involved and be better defensively.
“If I get another crack I will help out Morgo a lot more, with ( Lachlan Coote).”
Morgan stepped up in the absence of Thurston to rescue the Cowboys against Penrith.
North Queensland has traditionally struggled without Thurston, but the four- time Dally M champion played only seven NRL matches this season and the Cowboys are adapting to life without him.
With Ray Thompson battling a chronic knee injury, either Laybutt or Martin must step up for the Cowboys to be September contenders.
Green said he wanted to see Laybutt get more involved.
“His debut ( against the Melbourne Storm) was good once he warmed into the game,” Green said.
“He drifted out of the game ( against Penrith) a couple of times.
“He’s a pretty quiet sort of bloke. For a halfback you need to be able to impose yourself when you have to.
“He just needs to get a bit more involved when we need him to.”