He may have been axed from the NSW side, but St George Illawarra coach Steve Price, believes Jamie Soward has bounced back from the disappointment of losing his five-eighth spot to Todd Carney.
Soward was impressive in defeat against South Sydney on Sunday at Kogarah, scoring his first try since round 26 last year and kicking three goals as he side went down 19-18 in golden point.
“I thought he was great, it was the best game from him this season,” Price said.
“Deep down he was disappointed to miss out on Origin, but I’ve told him to just get his head down, keep working hard at training.
“I thought his decision making was fantastic, his kicking game, especially in the first half was great, and I think they way he worked with Ben (Hornby) was excellent.”
Soward missed the Dragons defeat by Penrith on Monday with a corked thigh, and his return re-energised the Dragons, who were sunk by a field goal two minutes into the first extra period from Adam Reynolds.
The 26-year-old had the chance to win the game twice from field goals that missed the target late in the game and skipper Hornby defended the decision to allow Soward to kick a 40-metre penalty instead of finding touch when the side led 18-12.
“I asked Jamie if I thought he could kick it, and he thought he could,” Hornby said.
“Obviously we didn’t get the result we wanted, it would have been a handy two points at the end of the game.
“But those things happen, you have to back yourself, this time it didn’t go over, the next time it will.”
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