Karmichael Hunt suffers stomach injury in Brisbane's trial win over Canberra
By Wayne Heming
February 21, 2009
Brisbane will sweat on a medical update on star full-back Karmichael Hunt after he suffered suspected torn stomach muscles during the 30-16 NRL trial win over Canberra.
More than 10,000 fans packed the grass terraces for the trial which trumpeted the eagerly-awaited debut of boom teenager Israel Folau.
Folau didn't disappoint the huge crowd, almost scoring in the 42nd minute before showing his strength to carry a couple of Canberra defenders across the line for his maiden try for the club.
Hunt suffered the injury trying to ground the ball five minutes into the clash.
He did not return and could be in doubt for Brisbane's NRL season opener against North Queensland on March 13.
Half-back Peter Wallace had an outstanding game, his kicks setting up tries for Taylor and flying young winger Jharal Yow Yeh in the 72nd minute which pushed the score out to 30-16.
Brisbane came out of the blocks quickly, crossing Canberra's line twice in the opening few minutes only to have tries disallowed to winger Yow Yeh and Hunt disallowed.
Canberra regrouped after Brisbane's early onslaught replying with two tries to lead 12-0 after just 13 minutes.
The first came from a bust inside Canberra's own half by powerhouse New Zealand international Bronson Harrison before he offloaded an inside ball to full-back David Milne to cross.
The Raiders struck again six minutes later this time through prop Dane Tilse who wrestled his way through a wall of Brisbane players.
Five-eighth Terry Campese converted both tries for a handy 12-0 lead with Brisbane surprisingly struggling with the pace in the humid conditions.
Brisbane finally got over the line through winger Antonio Winterstein after a routine backline raid in the left corner.
Another of Brisbane's young guns, Gerard Beale, showed tremendous pace by beating a pack of chasers to a perfectly-weighted Wallace grubber kick in the 25th minute.
Corey Parker converted both tries and the teams took the halftime break locked at 12-all.
AAP
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25089182-23214,00.html
