While the disappointment for Cowboys prop Jordan McLean is still being felt in the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues camp, assistant coach Paul McGregor said the team would gain a worthy replacement with incoming Newcastle front-rower Jacob Saifiti.
A hamstring strain has robbed McLean of his NSW Blues debut in Game Three at Suncorp Stadium on 13 July but McGregor told Behind Blues Eyes that Saifiti, who was part of the extended bench for Game One, came close to playing the series opener on 8 June.
“He’s a big body; he plays it tough; he does the effort areas very well in a game,” McGregor said.
“He works hard off the footy – puts pressure on the ball player, defends well, carries strong and does the simple things really well.
“That’s what you need – people who are selfless in this arena. You need people who will do things for others before themselves.
“And that’s what Saifiti is. He’s a man who will do whatever it takes for a teammate.
“If you have 17 people doing that it’s a win-win.”
