Nick Kenny injury hits 'Baby Broncos' for Dragons match
By Matt Marshall | June 06, 2008 12:00am
THE 'Baby Broncos' have been hit by an injury scare to a key forward ahead of the 'Dell Cup' against Wendell Sailor and the Dragons. Prop Nick Kenny suffered a cork to his left thigh midway through Brisbane's final tune-up, with an emergency SOS sent out for back-rower Derrick Watkins. Both players have flown to Sydney and Kenny will undergo a fitness test this morning.
He remains no certainty to play at WIN Stadium in the latest setback for the Broncos, who are already without the bulk of their topline playing roster due to Origin and the suspension of centre Justin Hodges.
"Eight out of our starting line-up, it's fairly disruptive," coach-in-waiting Ivan Henjak said.
"It's going to be a tough assignment for us down there but the boys are confident.
"We don't want anyone going out there thinking they have to do anything special. That's when they start making mistakes. The most important thing for our senior guys is to not think they have to do more than their job.
"If the senior guys can just do their jobs really well, keep everyone nice and calm and stick to the game plan, and the young guys are out there with enthusiasm - that's the best mix we can have."
Hooker Michael Ennis shifts to halfback for tonight's clash against a Dragons side breathing fire with four wins from its last five starts.
"A good indicator I look for at this time of year is the for and against, and they've got a plus-44," Henjak said. "Even though they're not in the eight, they've got a better percentage than a lot of sides in the eight."
The visitors moved to play down the impact of Sailor's return for a game in which the Broncos will unveil his second cousin, under-20s star Josh Hoffman.
Last Friday night's four-try hero Denan Kemp will be given the assignment of marking Sailor.
"We don't have to worry about Dell," Henjak said. "He'll be doing enough talking for both camps.
"Josh deserves a crack. He has been going well in the 20s and is a player with a lot of potential."
Dragons Jarrod Saffy and Ricky Thorby drop off the club's six-man bench.
