Johnathan Thurston slams Cowboys’ ‘diabolical’ and ‘atrocious’ defence – Fox Sports

The Cowboys led 6-0 and were only down 12-6 at halftime, but continued a worrying trend of capitulating in the second half, especially in defence.
Its pretty difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel when youve had 84 points scored against you in two weeks, Thurston said on Channel 9.
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Its tough times for the Cowboys moving forward, but defence is an attitude thing. You want effort and you want attitude in your defence and in that second half I didnt see much of that at all tonight, so its worrying signs for the Cowboys.
Thurston believes the Cowboys are suffering from a fundamental lack of communication in their defensive approach.
When I was watching their defence, especially their edge defence, theres no talk when theyre getting off the line, he said.
The three man is not talking to his outside man or his inside man, theres no pointing, so no ones got any idea if theyre staying in or theyre staying out.
It was pretty much a training run there for the Roosters in the second half.
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The Cowboys second half defensive display was made all the more difficult to stomach by the fact that they got it right in the first half against the best attacking team in the competition.
They started the first half really well, there was a lot of energy, attitude and effort, but the worst thing that happened to them was half-time, Thurston said.
When half-time happened, their second half has just been diabolical. Their defence has been atrocious on the left edge, last week it was the right edge.
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Theyve had some injuries, but thats not an excuse to defend the way theyve defended.
Thurstons damning assessment was echoed by Eighth Immortal Andrew Johns who labelled the Cowboys defence not up to scratch during one play involving veteran Gavin Cooper.
Nice piece of play from Lachie Lam, getting out of dummy-half with some footwork, but the defence once again, this is just not up to NRL standard, Johns said.
Johnathan Thurston speaks to Cowboys coach Paul Green.Source: Getty Images
They roll the ruck, quick play-the-ball, one marker, and then Gavin Cooper just flings an arm out. Thats poor defence.
Johns compared the second half defensive display to kids footy in an ugly fallout to the Cowboys latest loss.
The Cowboys defence is not up to NRL standard at times.Source: Getty Images
Some of the missed tackles tonight was like under 10s stuff, that was a really poor performance. Its going to be a long year, Johns said.
The one-on-one missed tackles, it was just the fundamentals and even the technique of tackling, just putting arms out and not digging in with your shoulders.
All teams have got injuries. Youve just got to get out there and tear in and put a jumper in front of the opposition.
Im sure Paul Green will be really disappointed with that performance, and the pressure now goes onto the Cowboys coach.

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