LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Todd Payten, coach of the North Queensland Cowboys, is reaffirming his decision to stick with a rookie halves combination despite the team's disappointing 24-6 loss to Manly.
He views Jaxon Purdue as the long-term solution at five-eighth and has confirmed there will be no changes to the halves lineup moving forward.
In a surprising decision, Payten benched Jake Clifford and shifted Tom Dearden to halfback to accommodate Purdue.
Despite Purdue's quiet performance and struggles against Manly's kicking pressure, Payten remains confident in his choice.
"They'll both be better for the run," he stated after the match.
"Did I ever think it was going to be 10 out of 10 first week in? I'm absolutely certain that this kid is the future of the club in the halves.
It's not changing."
With this commitment to Purdue and the rookie combination, Payten is clearly determined to build a foundation for the future, irrespective of immediate results.