North Queensland champion Johnathan Thurston needs to give up his No.7 jumper now.
That’s the opinion of Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga, who believes Cowboys coach Paul Green must fast-track Michael Morgan as the team’s new halfback in a bid to save their flailing season.
The Cowboys’ disappointing campaign reached a new low on Saturday after falling to a six-point loss against last-placed Parramatta in a game where Morgan was rested.
However, his inclusion would’ve mattered little as the Cowboys completed at a porous 58 per cent against the Eels – their worst handling effort of the season.
“We spoke about it halftime and it actually got worse in the second half. Really disappointing from that point of view,” Green said.
Morgan was a late withdrawal after pulling up sore following the State of Origin opener, but is expected to be recalled for next week’s clash against the Warriors.
“With a shorter turnaround next week, if he played tonight it’d definitely put him at risk the following week. And whether or not he’d get through a whole game or not was in question too,” Green said.
But while Morgan is likely to be re-inserted at fullback or five-eighth, Meninga has surprisingly called for the Queensland star to replace Thurston as the team’s primary playmaker.
Morgan is already pencilled in to become the Cowboys’ new No.7 when Thurston retires at the end of the year, however Meninga believes the time is nigh for him to take the reins now.
North Queensland are currently in 14th spot on eight points, and will need to win all ten of their remaining matches just to reach the traditional 28 point cutoff to make the finals.
If they don’t, Thurston’s career is likely to end with a whimper.
“Morgs should play seven, he needs to be on the football,” Meninga said on Fox Sports.
“He thinks less (at halfback). When he is thinking less he plays his best footy. (Johnathan) can sit back and play six. He needs to take the back seat.
“(Morgan) played seven basically all last year and was the competition’s best player.
“He needs to be on the ball. He does worry about things so the less he thinks and more he plays with instinct the better he will get.”
Green admitted their handling problems – they entered last night’s match ranked 13th in the league in average completion rates – are a mental issue.
“They’re fundamental errors we’re making so it’s not skill or talent. So you would need to get to the bottom of it, usually what’s going on in people’s heads,” he said.
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