Green rewards resilient Jensen with new deal
COWBOYS coach Paul Green says a new two- year deal for young prop Corey Jensen is reward for “not dropping his lip”, after being forced to take the hard road to the NRL.
The 23- year- old wasn’t offered a deal after he finished in under- 20s, but used it as motivation to break into the Cowboys line- up this year.
Season- ending knee injuries to front rowers Matt Scott and Patrick Kaufusi has given the 23- year- old a chance after two ultra- consistent Queensland Cup seasons with Townsville Blackhawks.
The Bowen Seagulls junior will play his ninth NRL game against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Sta- dium tonight round eight.
“Injuries aren’t great, especially when it happens to our leader and the best front rower in the game in Scotty,” Jensen said.
“It gave me an opportunity and I’m trying to take it game by game and hopefully hold my spot.
“I knew realistically I’d probably get a game here or there in the Origin period, that was my goal, but to get as many games as I have this year is a dream come true.
“I know I can improve my football here and learning off some of the best is why I’ve decided to stay here.”
Green said Jensen’s deal until the end of 2019 was reward for the after debuting in resilience he’s shown. “Character is a big one. If you look at the path Corey’s taken, he’s worked his butt off to get where he is and I like seeing that,” Green said. “Often hard work will outdo talent and Corey’s a classic example of that.
“He didn’t get a contract after under 20s and a lot of guys would drop their lip or think their footy life is over, but he worked hard and spent a couple of good years in the Intrust Super Cup and it’s a fitting reward.”
The Cowboys have also shown great faith in young centre Shaun Hudson by re- signing him for next year, despite rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament at this year’s Auckland Nines.
“Coming off a knee reconstruction it’s definitely a show of faith from the club,” Green said.
“We see a lot of potential in Huddo and hopefully we can see that next year.”
Jensen said he didn’t lose confidence he would earn a new deal after the Cowboys signed Shaun Fensom, while star Melbourne prop Jordan McLean will also move to Townsville next year.
“Not really, the reason I stayed here is to learn off the best players and Jordan McLean I think is going to be an Origin player of the future,” Jensen said.
“I’m only young and if I can learn as much off him and Scotty as possible it’ll help me.”