ID :
11265
Wed, 07/02/2008 - 10:32
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/11265
The shortlink copeid
Sailor back to battle Knights
(AAP) - Wendell Sailor's stop-start NRL return is back on with the dual international rushed into the St George Illawarra line-up for Saturday's trip to Newcastle.
Sailor will return from a fractured cheekbone - suffered in his first game back in
the professional ranks following a two-year-drug ban - on the wing with Dragons
centre Mark Gasnier still sidelined with a back injury.
It was thought Sailor would struggle to break back into line-up given the Dragons
had surged up the ladder on the back of a six-game winning streak, but Gasnier's
injury has handed him an opening.
NSW centre Matt Cooper was also named while Newcastle's Origin contingent Kurt
Gidley, Danny Buderus and Ben Cross have all been named to back up at
EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Parramatta's sole NSW representative Jarryd Hayne has been moved to the wing for the
Eels' local derby with Penrith on Sunday, Joel Reddy and Kiwi international Krisnan
Inu retaining their centre positions.
The reshuffle sees boom youngster Tony Williams shift back to a six-man bench where
he was named alongside Fuifui Moimoi who returns from suspension.
"We wanted to repay the players that did the job for us against the Storm but at the
same time Jarryd and Fui would be automatic selections in my opinion," Hagan said.
"We'll just wait and see how the rest of the week pans out before we make up our
minds on what the 17 will look like."
Penrith welcome back Rhys Wesser at fullback, with young gun Lachlan Coote sliding
over to replace injured winger Luke Rooney (ankle).
Melbourne's nine Origin representatives return plus coach Craig Bellamy for Sunday's
meeting with Canberra, a game Raiders skipper Alan Tongue still hopes to play in
despite a rib cartilage complaint.
Tongue was told by Raiders medical officials he would be out for up to a month but
insisted on being named in the side to face the Storm.
"I pulled up pretty tender this morning, but that was to be expected," Tongue said.
"There's rib cartilage damage, we're just going to see how it settles down."
The Storm named powerful teenage centre Joseph Tomane on the bench with former Test
prop Antonio Kaufusi pushed back to 18th man.
South Sydney have stuck with the same combination as they go in search of their
fourth win on the trot against the Bulldogs on Monday night.
The Bulldogs have been forced to blood another Toyota Cup player with John Kite
named on the bench, while Brent Crisp comes in at fullback in place of Nick
Youngquest.
Sailor will return from a fractured cheekbone - suffered in his first game back in
the professional ranks following a two-year-drug ban - on the wing with Dragons
centre Mark Gasnier still sidelined with a back injury.
It was thought Sailor would struggle to break back into line-up given the Dragons
had surged up the ladder on the back of a six-game winning streak, but Gasnier's
injury has handed him an opening.
NSW centre Matt Cooper was also named while Newcastle's Origin contingent Kurt
Gidley, Danny Buderus and Ben Cross have all been named to back up at
EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Parramatta's sole NSW representative Jarryd Hayne has been moved to the wing for the
Eels' local derby with Penrith on Sunday, Joel Reddy and Kiwi international Krisnan
Inu retaining their centre positions.
The reshuffle sees boom youngster Tony Williams shift back to a six-man bench where
he was named alongside Fuifui Moimoi who returns from suspension.
"We wanted to repay the players that did the job for us against the Storm but at the
same time Jarryd and Fui would be automatic selections in my opinion," Hagan said.
"We'll just wait and see how the rest of the week pans out before we make up our
minds on what the 17 will look like."
Penrith welcome back Rhys Wesser at fullback, with young gun Lachlan Coote sliding
over to replace injured winger Luke Rooney (ankle).
Melbourne's nine Origin representatives return plus coach Craig Bellamy for Sunday's
meeting with Canberra, a game Raiders skipper Alan Tongue still hopes to play in
despite a rib cartilage complaint.
Tongue was told by Raiders medical officials he would be out for up to a month but
insisted on being named in the side to face the Storm.
"I pulled up pretty tender this morning, but that was to be expected," Tongue said.
"There's rib cartilage damage, we're just going to see how it settles down."
The Storm named powerful teenage centre Joseph Tomane on the bench with former Test
prop Antonio Kaufusi pushed back to 18th man.
South Sydney have stuck with the same combination as they go in search of their
fourth win on the trot against the Bulldogs on Monday night.
The Bulldogs have been forced to blood another Toyota Cup player with John Kite
named on the bench, while Brent Crisp comes in at fullback in place of Nick
Youngquest.
