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(they used this pic again)
Buderus keeps sights on Test berth
15 April 2005
Australian hooker Danny Buderus says he will embrace his last-ditch chance to impress national selectors before next Friday's Test when he makes a surprise NRL comeback for Newcastle on Sunday.
Despite a shocking injury run, the incumbent NSW Origin captain has not ruled out a call-up when the Australian team to play New Zealand at Brisbane on April 22 is named on Sunday.
The reigning Dally M Medal winner was initially expected to be out for six weeks after undergoing shoulder and elbow surgery on March 29.
But Buderus - who also endured pre-season foot surgery - has recovered three weeks ahead of schedule and on Friday received the green light for Sunday's clash against the New Zealand Warriors at Newcastle.
Despite not being picked in the initial 22-strong Australian squad to be whittled down to 17 on Sunday, Buderus said adding to his haul of 18 Tests was not out of the question.
"I don't know what they are going to do with the 22-man squad, but I will get the game out of the way and hopefully with a controlled performance (I get picked)," he said.
"It's in the back of the mind. If I can play that would be great but I understand what they are trying to do (with picking the squad)
"It would be tremendous (if picked but) I don't know if I would have played 80 minutes (by the national team announcement).
"I'll be a little bit underdone. It will be a good challenge for me to try and get back into the team."
ARL CEO Geoff Carr confirmed Buderus was still eligible for Test selection despite missing the initial squad.
"Yeah he can still be picked. There's nothing stopping the selectors picking the best team available," he said.
"The squad is a very good indication of how they will pick the team but it's up to them to name the best team."
Carr also reacted to recent criticism of naming a squad before picking the team.
"We put the squad together for logistical reasons. We've got to get 17 people to the Gold Coast on Sunday night - without booking airfares in advance it's the only way you are going to do it," he said.
"It's impossible to do it any other way with such a short preparation."
Despite being given a clean bill of health, Buderus said he was still monitoring his foot.
"It's been a hard road but ... my foot is slowly but surely coming along - hopefully over the next few weeks or months it will get back to normal."
(they used this pic again)
Buderus keeps sights on Test berth
15 April 2005
Australian hooker Danny Buderus says he will embrace his last-ditch chance to impress national selectors before next Friday's Test when he makes a surprise NRL comeback for Newcastle on Sunday.
Despite a shocking injury run, the incumbent NSW Origin captain has not ruled out a call-up when the Australian team to play New Zealand at Brisbane on April 22 is named on Sunday.
The reigning Dally M Medal winner was initially expected to be out for six weeks after undergoing shoulder and elbow surgery on March 29.
But Buderus - who also endured pre-season foot surgery - has recovered three weeks ahead of schedule and on Friday received the green light for Sunday's clash against the New Zealand Warriors at Newcastle.
Despite not being picked in the initial 22-strong Australian squad to be whittled down to 17 on Sunday, Buderus said adding to his haul of 18 Tests was not out of the question.
"I don't know what they are going to do with the 22-man squad, but I will get the game out of the way and hopefully with a controlled performance (I get picked)," he said.
"It's in the back of the mind. If I can play that would be great but I understand what they are trying to do (with picking the squad)
"It would be tremendous (if picked but) I don't know if I would have played 80 minutes (by the national team announcement).
"I'll be a little bit underdone. It will be a good challenge for me to try and get back into the team."
ARL CEO Geoff Carr confirmed Buderus was still eligible for Test selection despite missing the initial squad.
"Yeah he can still be picked. There's nothing stopping the selectors picking the best team available," he said.
"The squad is a very good indication of how they will pick the team but it's up to them to name the best team."
Carr also reacted to recent criticism of naming a squad before picking the team.
"We put the squad together for logistical reasons. We've got to get 17 people to the Gold Coast on Sunday night - without booking airfares in advance it's the only way you are going to do it," he said.
"It's impossible to do it any other way with such a short preparation."
Despite being given a clean bill of health, Buderus said he was still monitoring his foot.
"It's been a hard road but ... my foot is slowly but surely coming along - hopefully over the next few weeks or months it will get back to normal."
