Timely lift with Scott to return
VETERAN prop Matt Scott is expected to make a welcome return from a shoulder injury but Cowboys coach Paul Green is taking no risks, starting the prop from the bench.
Scott has not played for the Cowboys since he injured his shoulder in the side’s win over the Raiders back in Round 11.
But after extensive rehabilitation, and an extended break with last weekend’s bye, the prop is ready to return.
It could not have come at a better time for the Cowboys as they aim to avoid four straight losses against reigning premiers Sydney Roosters.
Green has not put any expectations on the 262-game veteran in terms of minutes, with Scott to join the forwards rotation from the pine.
“Having his experience back is a huge boost for us,” Green said. “He is as close (to fully fit) as possible.
“He is going to come off the bench, there is no pressure on interchange that way. He hasn’t played in a while so if he is a bit short of a run it won’t matter too much.
“We have got some guys around him that can play some minutes.”
There is also a cloud over the Cowboys’ two Origin representatives, captain Michael Morgan and Josh Mcguire. But with the longer time between tonight’s clash and the Cowboys game on Sunday, Green has high hopes his two stars will be able to back up.
John Asiata has been named on the bench, but is expected to come into the starting side at five-eighth if Morgan is unable to back up.
The Cowboys have also not named a back-up hooker on the bench, with Sarina junior Reuben Cotter named in the reserves alongside Coen Hess, who is returning from a knee injury.
Green would not speculate on whether Jake Granville would need to play 80 minutes against the Roosters, but suggested it depended on how his two Origin stars pulled up.
“It depends on what happens with other guys, in particular the two Origin guys,” he said. “We have got Mcguire who can play there, he has played there a number of different times. Also Asiata has the skill level to handle that if we don’t go with a back-up.”