New Maroons coach Paul Green has addressed rumours of a fallout with Queensland stars Michael Morgan and Kalyn Ponga could have a damaging impact on the Maroons' 2021 Origin campaign.<\/p>\n
Within minutes of accepting the job at Suncorp Stadium as Wayne Bennett's successor, the former North Queensland coach had to quash any claims of a rift with his former players during his seven-season stint at the Cowboys.<\/p>\n
Rumours of clashing with Ponga emerged when the rising star quit the Cowboys within 12 months to join Newcastle. In Morgan's case, the playmaker clashed with Green in a pub argument in August 2019 in front of club sponsors after the ex-Cowboys coach allegedly questioned the leadership of his Cowboys captain.<\/p>\n
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Ponga and Morgan are expected to be part of this year's squad even though they missed out last year because of injury. Green denied any feud with Morgan and Ponga could have repercussions for Queensland's Origin campaign this season.<\/p>\n
"A lot of that stuff is general talk," Green said.<\/p>\n
"As far as I'm aware I don't have any problems with those guys (Ponga and Morgan).<\/p>\n
"I don't see that as an issue at all."<\/p>\n
When asked about Morgan playing Origin this year, Green said he'd like to see how he recovers from injury.<\/p>\n
"If 'Morgo' is part of the conversation around Origin time, it means he is playing well," Green said.<\/p>\n
"I'm sure from his point of view it (playing for Queensland again) will be a good thing."<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"