Collateral
Coach
- Messages
- 13,792
Ryles comeback sparks Country interest
By Brad Walter
May 1, 2004
Page Tools
Email to a friend Printer format
Former Test prop Jason Ryles is set to make his comeback from a career-threatening shoulder injury for St George Illawarra tonight - and his next match could be for Country Origin.
After receiving a medical clearance from two specialists this week, Ryles will undergo a vigorous fitness test today before the Dragons decide whether to rush him into the local derby against Cronulla at Toyota Park.
If he plays, Country Rugby League officials yesterday confirmed selectors would take particular interest in his performance with a view to choosing him for next Friday night's clash with City at Gosford.
"That's great," CRL general manager Terry Quinn said when told of Ryles's possible return.
"I'm not a selector but obviously you hear the names that get bandied about and some of the blokes haven't been going as well as we'd hoped.
"If he's fit, I'm sure Jason would be keen to get himself back to representative level, and we'll be watching him closely."
With skipper Trent Barrett (hamstring) and Kangaroos prop Luke Bailey (calf) in doubt for the match against the Sharks, Dragons coach Nathan Brown is keen for Ryles to play but said he would be guided by club doctor Martin Raftery.
The 25-year-old has been training with the team this week but was not named in the side on Tuesday, as he hadn't received clearances from shoulder and nerve specialists.
After receiving the green light yesterday, he will train with the Dragons this morning and then undergo testing by Raftery.
"He has got to do some tests he can't do on the field - strength testing, contact testing and some fitness testing," Raftery said. "Jason looks pretty good. He's keen to play but understands the implications of coming back too early. We've set some levels for him to jump and if he jumps those, fair enough. But if not, we'll wait until he gets there. After nine months, one more week's not going to make a big difference."
Country selectors, headed by Frank Fish, will also keep a close eye on Dragons fullback Ben Hornby tonight, along with winger Nathan Blacklock and second-rower Dean Young.
Centre Matt Cooper is considered a certainty, while Lance Thompson and Mark Riddell are expected to be in the City team.
Another notable comeback story is likely to be that of Parramatta winger Eric Grothe, whose career has only just got back on track after he gained selection for NSW Origin in 2000 and then withdrew because of a knee injury.
He did not play again that year and sought a release to join Sydney Roosters in 2001 but managed just 11 NRL games for the club in three seasons before returning to Parramatta.
Grothe and Penrith's Luke Rooney are expected to be the City wingers, with the latter tipped to oppose teammate Amos Roberts.
Another selection bolter may be Cronulla second-rower Paul Gallen, who is under consideration for a position on the City bench after impressive performances in the centres during the Sharks' back-to-back wins over Canberra and Parramatta.
Players from the Test team that beat New Zealand last Friday night have been exempted from the annual City-Country fixture. Both teams will be named tomorrow night and will undergo medicals in Sydney on Monday. Country will be based at Armidale and City in Mudgee until Wednesday, when both teams travel to Gosford.
Likely teams: CITY: Brett Hodgson; Eric Grothe, Luke Lewis, Ryan Cross, Luke Rooney; Adam Dykes, Matt Orford; Braith Anasta, Lance Thompson, Bryan Fletcher, John Skandalis, Mark Riddell, Mark O'Meley. Reserves: Paul Gallen, Mark Minichiello, Steve Menzies, Michael Vella.
COUNTRY: Ben Hornby; Amos Roberts, Matt Cooper, Phil Bailey, Nathan Blacklock; Trent Barrett, Brett Kimmorley; Scott Hill, Ben Kennedy, Glenn Morrison, Josh Perry, Luke Priddis, Jason Ryles. Reserves: Preston Campbell, Luke Davico, Daniel Abraham, Willie Mason.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/30/1083224590028.html
By Brad Walter
May 1, 2004
Page Tools
Email to a friend Printer format
Former Test prop Jason Ryles is set to make his comeback from a career-threatening shoulder injury for St George Illawarra tonight - and his next match could be for Country Origin.
After receiving a medical clearance from two specialists this week, Ryles will undergo a vigorous fitness test today before the Dragons decide whether to rush him into the local derby against Cronulla at Toyota Park.
If he plays, Country Rugby League officials yesterday confirmed selectors would take particular interest in his performance with a view to choosing him for next Friday night's clash with City at Gosford.
"That's great," CRL general manager Terry Quinn said when told of Ryles's possible return.
"I'm not a selector but obviously you hear the names that get bandied about and some of the blokes haven't been going as well as we'd hoped.
"If he's fit, I'm sure Jason would be keen to get himself back to representative level, and we'll be watching him closely."
With skipper Trent Barrett (hamstring) and Kangaroos prop Luke Bailey (calf) in doubt for the match against the Sharks, Dragons coach Nathan Brown is keen for Ryles to play but said he would be guided by club doctor Martin Raftery.
The 25-year-old has been training with the team this week but was not named in the side on Tuesday, as he hadn't received clearances from shoulder and nerve specialists.
After receiving the green light yesterday, he will train with the Dragons this morning and then undergo testing by Raftery.
"He has got to do some tests he can't do on the field - strength testing, contact testing and some fitness testing," Raftery said. "Jason looks pretty good. He's keen to play but understands the implications of coming back too early. We've set some levels for him to jump and if he jumps those, fair enough. But if not, we'll wait until he gets there. After nine months, one more week's not going to make a big difference."
Country selectors, headed by Frank Fish, will also keep a close eye on Dragons fullback Ben Hornby tonight, along with winger Nathan Blacklock and second-rower Dean Young.
Centre Matt Cooper is considered a certainty, while Lance Thompson and Mark Riddell are expected to be in the City team.
Another notable comeback story is likely to be that of Parramatta winger Eric Grothe, whose career has only just got back on track after he gained selection for NSW Origin in 2000 and then withdrew because of a knee injury.
He did not play again that year and sought a release to join Sydney Roosters in 2001 but managed just 11 NRL games for the club in three seasons before returning to Parramatta.
Grothe and Penrith's Luke Rooney are expected to be the City wingers, with the latter tipped to oppose teammate Amos Roberts.
Another selection bolter may be Cronulla second-rower Paul Gallen, who is under consideration for a position on the City bench after impressive performances in the centres during the Sharks' back-to-back wins over Canberra and Parramatta.
Players from the Test team that beat New Zealand last Friday night have been exempted from the annual City-Country fixture. Both teams will be named tomorrow night and will undergo medicals in Sydney on Monday. Country will be based at Armidale and City in Mudgee until Wednesday, when both teams travel to Gosford.
Likely teams: CITY: Brett Hodgson; Eric Grothe, Luke Lewis, Ryan Cross, Luke Rooney; Adam Dykes, Matt Orford; Braith Anasta, Lance Thompson, Bryan Fletcher, John Skandalis, Mark Riddell, Mark O'Meley. Reserves: Paul Gallen, Mark Minichiello, Steve Menzies, Michael Vella.
COUNTRY: Ben Hornby; Amos Roberts, Matt Cooper, Phil Bailey, Nathan Blacklock; Trent Barrett, Brett Kimmorley; Scott Hill, Ben Kennedy, Glenn Morrison, Josh Perry, Luke Priddis, Jason Ryles. Reserves: Preston Campbell, Luke Davico, Daniel Abraham, Willie Mason.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/30/1083224590028.html
