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I'm starting to think someone's got a voodoo doll of him and doesn't want to see him go a year without injuring himself.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21112432-5006066,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21112432-5006066,00.html
Barrett out injured
January 25, 2007 12:00
Article from:
WIGAN rugby league coach Brian Noble has played down an injury that forced prized recruit Trent Barrett to miss his much-anticipated opening game for the English Super League club.
The former St George Illawarra skipper suffered a calf strain at training and was a notable absentee at Wigan's 24-22 pre-season weekend loss to Huddersfield, sounding alarm bells.
But Noble yesterday said Barrett's injury was a minor concern.
"Trent's injury wasn't too serious but we decided not to risk him as a precaution," he said on the Wigan website.
"He made the trip to Yorkshire with us and was in the dressing room at the end of the game."
Former Cronulla Shark Phil Bailey did make his Wigan debut against Huddersfield.
Meanwhile, pint-sized former New Zealand halfback Stacey Jones has left big shoes for ex-Brisbane Bronco Casey McGuire to fill at Catalans Dragons after breaking down with a knee injury.
Fresh from celebrating an NRL premiership with Brisbane, McGuire is now in France faced with the daunting task of chiming into halfback for match-winner Jones who will miss the first month of the 2007 Super League season.
Jones had a cartilage removed yesterday after his knee became swollen at training, however, more damage was found during surgery and had to be repaired.
He is out for six weeks, ensuring he will miss the first four rounds for the Dragons.
"It (Jones' injury) is a blow but unlike last year we have a little more depth in our pivotal areas . . . we will be able to alleviate the loss of Stacey for the first weeks of the season," Catalan's chief executive Nicolas Rayer said.
It continues a horror injury run for Jones who missed three months last season due to a broken arm.
In his absence, the Dragons won just three of 12 games.
McGuire has also had a disrupted start to his first Super League season with the French club.
He missed the Dragons' season-opener, a 38-22 weekend win over a French President's XIII with a viral infection.
The Dragons' first Super League season is against Hull on February 11.
In other news, ex-New Zealand Warriors fullback Brent Webb makes his debut for Leeds in a friendly against Huddersfield on Saturday.