‘Were you at training?’: Payten returns serve after Cowboys’ “relaxed” training is questioned
Cowboys coach Todd Payten has fired back at a journalist who questioned his team’s attitude at training the week after they were defeated by the Sharks in Round 25.
North Queensland led 12-6 after 23 minutes, but then conceded 26 unanswered points, ending their finals hopes.
The Cowboys may fall behind the top eight, as they currently have 28 points, while the Knights and Rabbitohs have 29 and 28 points, respectively, with a game in hand.
Payten was questioned about whether his “relaxed” approach to training before North Queensland’s crucial clash contributed to a poor performance.
“We heard the preparations this week were pretty relaxed; was that a mistake?” the journalist inquired.
“Was you at training?” Payten quipped.
“I believe I overheard some pre-match conversations, and Jason mentioned that it was a more relaxed week,” the journalist responded.
“Our training sessions were brief, focused, and intense. “Our group responds better when they are relaxed,” Payten explained.
“If I’m pumped up or consistently engaged with our players, we know that it transfers my energy to them and causes them to tighten up.
There was no mucking around or hijinx; everyone was focused and completed their tasks. We were simply outplayed in the end.
“We put pressure on ourselves and played well as a team.”
He also revealed Jeremiah Nanai’s “brave” efforts to take the field, which required multiple painkilling injections before facing the Sharks.
The backrower suffered a high-grade AC joint injury against the Eels in Round 21 and was expected to miss another week.
“It was pretty brave from the kid; he needed to be needled to train, before the game, and at halftime,” Payten said.
“Makes us a stronger team, so he’ll be sore. He has eight days to get back on track before our game against the Dolphins on Friday night.”
