Big three back to tackle Broncos
June 7, 2005
Woolford will return from a two week suspension for a careless high tackle, while Schifcofske and Thompson are back from rib and hamstring injuries respectively. In great form before his injury, Schifcofske has missed five games.
Ill have a good hit out and see how it pulls up towards the end of the week, but Im pretty confident I should be all right, Schifcofske said.
In addition, former Sharks forwards Andrew Lomu and Jason Williams are on the edge of making their debuts for the Raiders in the top grade. The two giant New Zealanders have been included in an extended 20-man squad.
Lomu only made his debut for the Raiders in Premier League on Sunday, having been released last week by the Sharks. The former Roosters premiership player and New Zealand Test representative had his first training session with the Raiders NRL squad this morning.
I want to get back in some good form, be consistent, get into the first grade squad and hopefully, down the line, Id like to get back into the Test team if I can, Lomu, 26, said.
This is a new opportunity and I want to make consistency the number one key. Ive enjoyed my short time so far in Canberra and I think itll be a great place to concentrate on footy.
Williams, 24, was also a late addition to the Raiders this season, joining the club in April. He has played four Premier League matches for the club, two since returning from a hamstring injury.
Elliott said part of the reason he picked an extended squad was to promote competition for positions in the club. He tipped one of his two giant recruits, Lomu or Williams, would play this Saturday.
Im excited by the qualities they bring to the club. Jason didnt get an NRL pre-season, but hes been working extremely hard, hes lost 10kg and hes getting closer to first grade, Elliott said.
We probably got [Lomu] here for two reasons: one because of the form hes been displaying in Premier League; and two, because of how good a player we know he can be. Sometimes a change of environment and some opportunity provided is all the spark a player needs.
RAIDERS v BRONCOS
Saturday, June 11, 5.30pm
Canberra Stadium
1. CLINTON SCHIFCOFSKE
2. MARSHALL CHALK
3. PHIL GRAHAM
4. DAVID HOWELL
5. CRAIG FRAWLEY
6. TERRY CAMPESE
7. LINCOLN WITHERS
8. MICHAEL HODGSON
9. SIMON WOOLFORD
10. TROY THOMPSON
11. MATT ADAMSON
12. IAN HINDMARSH
13. JASON CROKER
14. ALAN TONGUE
15. KRIS KAHLER
16. JOSH MILLER
17. MATT GAFA
18. ANDREW LOMU
19. JASON WILLIAMS
20. BEN CROSS
The Canberra Raiders have announced the return of three key players for Saturdays match against the Brisbane Broncos at Canberra Stadium, while two new faces are closer to playing their first NRL matches with the club.
The Raiders will be boosted against the top-of-the-table Broncos on Saturday night by the return of skipper Simon Woolford, fullback Clinton Schifcofske and prop Troy Thompson to the starting team.
Woolford will return from a two week suspension for a careless high tackle, while Schifcofske and Thompson are back from rib and hamstring injuries respectively. In great form before his injury, Schifcofske has missed five games.
Ill have a good hit out and see how it pulls up towards the end of the week, but Im pretty confident I should be all right, Schifcofske said.
In addition, former Sharks forwards Andrew Lomu and Jason Williams are on the edge of making their debuts for the Raiders in the top grade. The two giant New Zealanders have been included in an extended 20-man squad.
Lomu only made his debut for the Raiders in Premier League on Sunday, having been released last week by the Sharks. The former Roosters premiership player and New Zealand Test representative had his first training session with the Raiders NRL squad this morning.
I want to get back in some good form, be consistent, get into the first grade squad and hopefully, down the line, Id like to get back into the Test team if I can, Lomu, 26, said.
This is a new opportunity and I want to make consistency the number one key. Ive enjoyed my short time so far in Canberra and I think itll be a great place to concentrate on footy.
Williams, 24, was also a late addition to the Raiders this season, joining the club in April. He has played four Premier League matches for the club, two since returning from a hamstring injury.
Elliott said part of the reason he picked an extended squad was to promote competition for positions in the club. He tipped one of his two giant recruits, Lomu or Williams, would play this Saturday.
Im excited by the qualities they bring to the club. Jason didnt get an NRL pre-season, but hes been working extremely hard, hes lost 10kg and hes getting closer to first grade, Elliott said.
We probably got [Lomu] here for two reasons: one because of the form hes been displaying in Premier League; and two, because of how good a player we know he can be. Sometimes a change of environment and some opportunity provided is all the spark a player needs.
RAIDERS v BRONCOS
Saturday, June 11, 5.30pm
Canberra Stadium
1. CLINTON SCHIFCOFSKE
2. MARSHALL CHALK
3. PHIL GRAHAM
4. DAVID HOWELL
5. CRAIG FRAWLEY
6. TERRY CAMPESE
7. LINCOLN WITHERS
8. MICHAEL HODGSON
9. SIMON WOOLFORD
10. TROY THOMPSON
11. MATT ADAMSON
12. IAN HINDMARSH
13. JASON CROKER
14. ALAN TONGUE
15. KRIS KAHLER
16. JOSH MILLER
17. MATT GAFA
18. ANDREW LOMU
19. JASON WILLIAMS
20. BEN CROSS
