Jake Clifford pushes case in Cowboys selection battle
Jasper Bruce |
Jake Clifford did all he could to punch his ticket to Las Vegas as North Queensland overcame Canterbury in the first match of the NRL’s pre-season challenge.
Both Clifford and Jaxon Purdue had great moments as coach Todd Payten considers which man will partner Tom Dearden in the halves for the Sin City season opener against Newcastle.
But it was halfback Clifford who shone the brightest in Saturday’s 34-30 defeat of a fast-finishing, unrecognisable Bulldogs outfit at Jubilee Oval.
Clifford had the first of his three try assists with a no-look ball for Heilum Luki, who made a positive return from the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in December 2024.
A perfect cross-field kick from Clifford gave Robert Derby the first of his two tries down the right wing, before a short ball had Kai O’Donnell over.
Off-contract Purdue showed off his stylish kicking game, lofting up the bomb that put Zac Laybutt in for a three-score lead, but it was mostly Clifford calling the shots.
Clifford’s four goals from five attempts also proved crucial when the Bulldogs staged an audacious second-half comeback.
Purdue is a half by trade despite starting most of his 32 NRL games at centre, where he would likely play in Vegas should Clifford win their selection battle.
Both were substituted out at half-time, having inspired the Cowboys to a game-defining 28-6 lead.
Ex-Parramatta forward Wiremu Greig had an eye-catching Cowboys debut with 102 metres and 24 tackles through the middle.
Sam Hughes, Fletcher Baker and Lipoi Hopoi were the most notable Bulldogs to feature on Saturday, and even then neither, none of that trio appears likely to start in Vegas.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo would still have been disappointed with some of the second-string side’s defensive efforts in the first half; O’Donnell flopped past five defenders and onto the tryline in a particularly poor moment.
But the Bulldogs came to life after half-time, with five-eighth Joseph Teaupa starring.
Teaupa triggered the fightback, kicking through the line for a try to uncapped Aaymon Fitzgibbon, son of Cronulla coach Craig.
But after leaking four unanswered tries to begin the second half, the Cowboys limped home when fullback Mason Barber stepped through the line in the final minutes.
AAP
