Depth in squad allows Knights to name strong side for Dragons duel
BY BRETT KEEBLE
30 Mar, 2011 04:00 AM
KNIGHTS coach Rick Stone said the clubs deep talent pool meant he was still able to name a strong squad to tackle reigning NRL and world club champions St George Illawarra at Ausgrid Stadium on Sunday, despite having seven senior players on the sidelines nursing injuries.
Stone will welcome back captain Kurt Gidley at five-eighth to partner in-form halfback Jarrod Mullen for Newcastles home opener, and evergreen centre Adam MacDougall will make his first appearance this season after sitting out the first three games on compassionate grounds.
Gidley tore a disc in his lower back in Newcastles comprehensive 42-8 victory over Penrith on March 13 and MacDougall has had time off to mourn the death last month of his father, Gil.
Their return will help offset the unavailability of playmakers Beau Henry (ankle) and Ben Rogers (shoulder), dummy half Isaac De Gois (thumb), premiership-winning former Dragons enforcer Neville Costigan (arm), fullback Shannon McDonnell (concussion) and forwards Mark Taufua (finger) and Cameron Ciraldo (chest).
Prop Richie Faaoso, who was knocked out in Newcastles 26-12 loss to Manly at Brookvale Oval last Sunday, was named on the bench but must pass a CogSport test tomorrow.
Kiwi Test centre Junior Sau is under a cloud after aggravating a groin strain against the Sea Eagles and he will be subject to a fitness test on Friday.
Im confident that we have named a really competitive team that is well balanced and has some strength in it, and some strike, Stone said.
Weve been put under pressure a little bit with injuries to some key positions, but the depth and the flexibility of our squad is a bonus at the moment, and its really helping us to still be able to name a strong side for this Sunday.
Im excited to see Mullo and Kurt back in the halves together because I think it will give us a great threat through the middle.
Former Dragons utility back Wes Naiqama was switched from centre to fullback to replace McDonnell, allowing MacDougall to start in the centres and Gidley in the halves.
McDonnell was not named after being knocked out in a Glenn Stewart tackle on Sunday but said yesterday that he was feeling no ill effects and was confident of passing his CogSport test tomorrow and being cleared to play, if required.
Joel Edwards was named at lock for his first NRL match this season. Marvin Karawana will fill the utility role on the bench in his first NRL appearance since the 2009 finals.
Stone said Gidleys presence ensured there was a positive vibe at training yesterday.
Kurt was running around barking a bit at training, and you can see the extra zip he gets out of the boys, Stone said.
The response he gets from the boys is a big thing that Kurt can get and no-one else can get, so were really happy to have him back.
Hes in a confident frame of mind, he did some kicking and some running around today, and his back has pulled up really well, so in hindsight, what we did with him last week as far as giving him a rest was the right choice.
Stone said MacDougall, who resumed team training last week, was ready to play.
Ciraldo will consult with specialist Des Bokor in Sydney today to determine whether he needs surgery to repair the partially torn pectoral muscle he sustained against Manly.
If he has an operation, he could be sidelined for up to 12 weeks. The other option is rest and rehabilitation for six weeks to see if the muscle heals sufficiently without surgery.
Stone hoped De Gois and Taufua would be available to play against the Broncos in Brisbane on April 11.
