Days after shutting down talk of Jake Clifford's return, North Queensland coach Paul Green has welcomed back the young playmaker for Saturday's NRL clash with Cronulla.
Green has put a broom through the Cowboys backline after they failed to fire in last week's 29-10 loss to Brisbane.
Arguably the biggest surprise was 21-year-old Clifford at five-eighth, replacing incumbent Te Maire Martin who has been moved to fullback.
Green was adamant Clifford was not the Cowboys' best option in the halves following the defeat in Brisbane, baulking at post-match questions about recalling the youngster.
"He's a good player, but he has to learn a few lessons ... with his consistency through games," Green told the post-match press conference.
"I don't think he is our best option."
What a difference a few days makes.
Clifford has been recalled to play his first NRL game since round 24 last year, combining with captain Michael Morgan in the halves.
Asked about the change of heart on Tuesday, Green said: "Our outside backs need to offer a bit more - I am trying to change things up and get things going.
"I have spoken to Jake on what he needs to be good at and that is between me and him.
"But I think when you are playing in the lower grades you can drift in and out of the game and get away with it.
"But in first grade you don't have that luxury. For all young blokes that is their challenge - staying in the game, all game."
Clifford was tipped to get first crack at a halves vacancy created by retiring great Johnathan Thurston this year, after impressing during his six NRL games late in the 2018 season.
He was also named Halfback of the Year in the Queensland Cup, was five-eighth in the Prime Minister's XIII's win over Papua New Guinea in October and captained the Junior Kangaroos to victory over Junior Kiwis, earning man of the match honours.
Yet he still had to bide his time on the sidelines in 2019 before getting the nod from Green on Tuesday.
And it seems he is not out of the woods yet.
"He has been in there before, he played a few games last year which gives him experience which is a good thing," Green said of Clifford.
"But the challenge for him is to stay there. The ball is in his court."
