By Steve Mascord and Brad Walter
June 3 2003
NEWCASTLE
Steve Simpson is only a rough chance to be fit for Origin III after tests yesterday revealed he had suffered a torn kidney in Sunday's win over Brisbane. Simpson is thought to have been favoured for a Blues starting berth but, after being ruled out for four to six weeks, is at long odds to play any part in the series. Robbie O'Davis (knee) is some possibility of playing on Friday week against St George Illawarra despite withdrawing from the Queensland side.
BRISBANE
Gorden Tallis is expecting a more intimidating atmosphere for Origin I than the one that greeted Newcastle at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. "I think people just came out to have a good day and celebrate the day," said Tallis. "For Origin, I think they've just got a few more XXXXs under their belts. The boys have a day off, the Caxton [Hotel] rolls on, the Paddo Tavern rolls on and they just sort of stumble down."
BULLDOGS
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Willie Talau (knee) is tonight expected to be named in Steve Folkes's side to take on the Roosters this Friday after a long stint on the sidelines.
CANBERRA
Centre Adam Mogg (ankle) is likely to be named in an extended Raiders squad for Saturday night's game against Parramatta and will have to prove his fitness later in the week.
CRONULLA
Jason Stevens underwent minor knee surgery yesterday but Sharks football manager Greg Pierce said he was unaware of the club providing NSW management with a medical report. Nonetheless, Stevens would have been unable to train for most of this week, making it unlikely the Blues would have persevered with him. Stevens could be back for the round-14 encounter with Wests Tigers.
MANLY
Peter Sharp says he has plenty of injury worries going into Sunday's match against Wests Tigers - despite last weekend's bye. "There's still quite a few bumps and bruises," he said. "We'll name everyone and then see how they go."
MELBOURNE
Robbie Kearns described his NSW selection yesterday as a career highlight. "Six weeks ago I wasn't even named in the 30-man squad so to come back into contention is really pleasing," he said. "Even though I'm 31, I don't feel 31."
NORTH QUEENSLAND
A big crowd is expected for Saturday night's game against Penrith following the Cowboys' success against St George Illawarra on Sunday. "A lot of people have put in a lot of hard work," said Graham Murray. "Winning football games isn't rocket science."
PARRAMATTA
Alex Chan will have a plate inserted in his left arm after breaking it for the second time this season during last Saturday night's win over South Sydney. Eels medical staff are monitoring Michael Vella's abdominal-muscle injury.
PENRITH
The Panthers ended an eight-match losing streak at Dairy Farmers Stadium last year - on Saturday night they hope to complete a winning stretch of the same length.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA
Winger Amos Roberts will consult an orthopedic surgeon after X-rays yesterday revealed a fracture in his right shoulder. He'll most likely be out for the season.
SOUTH SYDNEY Goalkicking second-rower Justin Smith is out for two weeks with a medial-ligament tear.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Forward Chad Robinson was a late withdrawal from Sunday's win over Melbourne with an elbow injury but is expected to be fit for Friday night's rematch against the Bulldogs.
WARRIORS
After missing the cut last weekend, fiery prop Richard Villasanti (knee) is available for selection tonight as the Warriors prepare to host Cronulla on Saturday.
WESTS TIGERS
Major sponsors Radisson Maine have a meeting scheduled with the Department of Fair Trading but the club is unconcerned about the viability of its agreement with the property developers.
June 3 2003
NEWCASTLE
Steve Simpson is only a rough chance to be fit for Origin III after tests yesterday revealed he had suffered a torn kidney in Sunday's win over Brisbane. Simpson is thought to have been favoured for a Blues starting berth but, after being ruled out for four to six weeks, is at long odds to play any part in the series. Robbie O'Davis (knee) is some possibility of playing on Friday week against St George Illawarra despite withdrawing from the Queensland side.
BRISBANE
Gorden Tallis is expecting a more intimidating atmosphere for Origin I than the one that greeted Newcastle at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. "I think people just came out to have a good day and celebrate the day," said Tallis. "For Origin, I think they've just got a few more XXXXs under their belts. The boys have a day off, the Caxton [Hotel] rolls on, the Paddo Tavern rolls on and they just sort of stumble down."
BULLDOGS
advertisement
advertisement
Willie Talau (knee) is tonight expected to be named in Steve Folkes's side to take on the Roosters this Friday after a long stint on the sidelines.
CANBERRA
Centre Adam Mogg (ankle) is likely to be named in an extended Raiders squad for Saturday night's game against Parramatta and will have to prove his fitness later in the week.
CRONULLA
Jason Stevens underwent minor knee surgery yesterday but Sharks football manager Greg Pierce said he was unaware of the club providing NSW management with a medical report. Nonetheless, Stevens would have been unable to train for most of this week, making it unlikely the Blues would have persevered with him. Stevens could be back for the round-14 encounter with Wests Tigers.
MANLY
Peter Sharp says he has plenty of injury worries going into Sunday's match against Wests Tigers - despite last weekend's bye. "There's still quite a few bumps and bruises," he said. "We'll name everyone and then see how they go."
MELBOURNE
Robbie Kearns described his NSW selection yesterday as a career highlight. "Six weeks ago I wasn't even named in the 30-man squad so to come back into contention is really pleasing," he said. "Even though I'm 31, I don't feel 31."
NORTH QUEENSLAND
A big crowd is expected for Saturday night's game against Penrith following the Cowboys' success against St George Illawarra on Sunday. "A lot of people have put in a lot of hard work," said Graham Murray. "Winning football games isn't rocket science."
PARRAMATTA
Alex Chan will have a plate inserted in his left arm after breaking it for the second time this season during last Saturday night's win over South Sydney. Eels medical staff are monitoring Michael Vella's abdominal-muscle injury.
PENRITH
The Panthers ended an eight-match losing streak at Dairy Farmers Stadium last year - on Saturday night they hope to complete a winning stretch of the same length.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA
Winger Amos Roberts will consult an orthopedic surgeon after X-rays yesterday revealed a fracture in his right shoulder. He'll most likely be out for the season.
SOUTH SYDNEY Goalkicking second-rower Justin Smith is out for two weeks with a medial-ligament tear.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Forward Chad Robinson was a late withdrawal from Sunday's win over Melbourne with an elbow injury but is expected to be fit for Friday night's rematch against the Bulldogs.
WARRIORS
After missing the cut last weekend, fiery prop Richard Villasanti (knee) is available for selection tonight as the Warriors prepare to host Cronulla on Saturday.
WESTS TIGERS
Major sponsors Radisson Maine have a meeting scheduled with the Department of Fair Trading but the club is unconcerned about the viability of its agreement with the property developers.
... Yeah I met him in Port Mac, he was funny and really nice. He said my drawings were fantastic 
