Todd Payten isn't expecting young gun Jaxon Purdue to produce extraordinary things for North Queensland on his return to the five-eighth jersey.
Instead, the Cowboys coach is imploring the 20-year-old to step up his defence, knowing his side can't afford to produce another sub-par tackling display when they play the Warriors on Sunday in Christchurch.
After missing 110 tackles in their last two matches before their bye last round, which was North Queensland's highest total in a two-game span since 2007, the Cowboys are looking to tighten up.
Payten believes his re-energised side can do that as they welcome back winger Braidon Burns, which shifts Zac Laybutt to the centres.
Purdue, who has been playing in the centres all season, has been thrust into the No.6 jersey for the first time since last August and Liam Sutton moves to the bench.
