Eighteen weeks of suspensions and cruelly timed injuries will leave the Dragons and Raiders without a combined $6 million in playing talent after Magic Round.
While half a dozen stitches to Andrew McCullough s eye lid have turned out to be a welcome result after fears he had suffered a facial fracture, Matt Dufty s AC joint injury only adds to a long list of NRL regulars on the sidelines.
NRL.com understands Dufty is facing up to 3-4 weeks out as he still pushes for a new contract, with Jack Bird and Cody Ramsey the likely fullback options against Cronulla on Friday.
Bati Coach Tells Of World Cup Plans With 173 days left for the Rugby League World Cup in England, a few of the Kaiviti Silktails players are going to be blooded into the Vodafone Fijian Bati squad. by simione haravanua
04 May 2021 11:25 Star Vodafone Fijian Bati winger Maika Sivo (right) celebrates after scoring one of his two tries for Parramatta Eels as they beat Bulldogs 32-10 at Stadium Australia in Sydney on May 1, 2021. Sivo is a definite starter for the World Cup. Photo: Parramatta Eels
2021-06-01
With 173 days left for the Rugby League World Cup in England, a few of the Kaiviti Silktails players are go
St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin may be forced to turn to rookie backs Mat Feagai, Shaun Sauni-Esau and Tyrell Sloan after injuries to Zac Lomax and Cody Ramsey in Sunday’s 16-8 loss to Wests Tigers at WIN Stadium.
With wingers Mikaele Ravalawa and Jordan Pereira suspended, Max Feagai was called up for just his second NRL appearances against the Tigers and his twin Mat will come under consideration by Griffin as he runs low on backline options for next Sunday’s clash with Canterbury.
Lomax is expected to face about a month on the sidelines after being forced from the field midway through the first half with a thumb injury, while Ramsey suffered a rib injury late in the match.
An old-fashioned bonding session organised by St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin after a frustrating training session is being credited by Dragons players with helping to spark their winning start to the season.
Griffin was unhappy with a pre-season session so he cut training short and told the players they would repeat the session the following day – but this time they would get it right.
And then, he said, they would enjoy a few beers together.
“There was a look of shock among the boys,” second-rower Josh Kerr said. “It was like, ‘wow. How good is that!’.
“It sounds crazy but we haven’t had that here before and honestly it is refreshing. It makes you want to play for the coach and play for each other.”
St George Illawarra halfback Adam Clune has hosed down speculation linking him with a move to North Queensland as the Dragons prepare for their biggest challenge of the season against Parramatta on Sunday.
Clune, who had a break-out season with St George Illawarrra last year, stepped in for injured skipper Ben Hunt to steer the team to a third consecutive win in Newcastle last weekend and he is reportedly being eyed off by the struggling Cowboys.
North Queensland lock Josh McGuire has been given permission to seek a new club next season and the Dragons appear to be the front-runners to sign him due to his relationship with coach Anthony Griffin, but the club wants to keep Clune.