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Dogs not within a bull's roar of trial
January 31, 2005
Source: www.smh.com.au
Leeds: Coach Steve Folkes says the Bulldogs are unlikely to take up an offer of a training session with the Bradford Bulls, the arch-rivals of their World Club Challenge opponents Leeds.
British reports claimed Leeds were angered by Bradford's offer of match practice for the Bulldogs, who will go into Friday night's showdown against the English champions without a trial game.
But Folkes has downplayed the story. "There was an offer - we were chasing up some gear through [Canberra coach] Matt Elliott, who used to coach Bradford, and they offered, if we wanted, to do an opposed training session," he said. "But I don't think we are going to have the time to do it."
Folkes said there would be no surprises in his line-up, to be announced on Monday.
"We've just got the 18 guys with us, so the team will be probably as you would expect - I don't think there are any secrets about how we are going to line up," he said. "This is the strongest team we have got available at the moment."
Folkes admitted he knew little of the opposition, although he is aware of the Rhinos' star man, the promising Great Britain five-eighth Danny McGuire.
"We haven't watched Leeds at this stage, but we plan to do that in the next few days," he said. "Leeds have featured quite heavily on Fox [Sports TV], so I have seen them there, and I watched last year's final, which was a good performance.
"I saw McGuire in the tri-series and he impressed, he looked good on his feet and was a very bright performer."
The Bulldogs had just five days to adapt to the chilly conditions, and Folkes admitted: "I don't think you can acclimatise, we're not here long enough. But the jet lag will have gone by game time, hopefully, and we will start to get used to the conditions a little.
"It's not ideal, but we have trialled really well in the last couple of years and had very good preparation going into those games, and we have prepared similarly for this, so hopefully we will get a good performance first up. I think everyone is up for the game - it is an opportunity we may never get again.
"All of the guys are up for it, and we have some young guys who could make a name for themselves and it will be good for them.
"They will get their chance a bit earlier than anticipated, but they have all been playing well at premier league level."
Folkes said the front row was the main area in which he hoped the World Club Challenge would answer some questions before the NRL premiership began - particularly in identifying a replacement for former skipper Steve Price.
Folkes was also supportive of the possibility of taking the game to Australia, predicting it would attract a good crowd, although out of season.
"I can see there would be problems in coming down to Australia, as well as those involved in us coming up here. It's difficult for both sides - we haven't had a trial and Leeds have only had a few, but it would be nice to take it [to Australia] in the future," he said.
The game, at Elland Road, remains on course to be a sell-out.
January 31, 2005
Source: www.smh.com.au
Leeds: Coach Steve Folkes says the Bulldogs are unlikely to take up an offer of a training session with the Bradford Bulls, the arch-rivals of their World Club Challenge opponents Leeds.
British reports claimed Leeds were angered by Bradford's offer of match practice for the Bulldogs, who will go into Friday night's showdown against the English champions without a trial game.
But Folkes has downplayed the story. "There was an offer - we were chasing up some gear through [Canberra coach] Matt Elliott, who used to coach Bradford, and they offered, if we wanted, to do an opposed training session," he said. "But I don't think we are going to have the time to do it."
Folkes said there would be no surprises in his line-up, to be announced on Monday.
"We've just got the 18 guys with us, so the team will be probably as you would expect - I don't think there are any secrets about how we are going to line up," he said. "This is the strongest team we have got available at the moment."
Folkes admitted he knew little of the opposition, although he is aware of the Rhinos' star man, the promising Great Britain five-eighth Danny McGuire.
"We haven't watched Leeds at this stage, but we plan to do that in the next few days," he said. "Leeds have featured quite heavily on Fox [Sports TV], so I have seen them there, and I watched last year's final, which was a good performance.
"I saw McGuire in the tri-series and he impressed, he looked good on his feet and was a very bright performer."
The Bulldogs had just five days to adapt to the chilly conditions, and Folkes admitted: "I don't think you can acclimatise, we're not here long enough. But the jet lag will have gone by game time, hopefully, and we will start to get used to the conditions a little.
"It's not ideal, but we have trialled really well in the last couple of years and had very good preparation going into those games, and we have prepared similarly for this, so hopefully we will get a good performance first up. I think everyone is up for the game - it is an opportunity we may never get again.
"All of the guys are up for it, and we have some young guys who could make a name for themselves and it will be good for them.
"They will get their chance a bit earlier than anticipated, but they have all been playing well at premier league level."
Folkes said the front row was the main area in which he hoped the World Club Challenge would answer some questions before the NRL premiership began - particularly in identifying a replacement for former skipper Steve Price.
Folkes was also supportive of the possibility of taking the game to Australia, predicting it would attract a good crowd, although out of season.
"I can see there would be problems in coming down to Australia, as well as those involved in us coming up here. It's difficult for both sides - we haven't had a trial and Leeds have only had a few, but it would be nice to take it [to Australia] in the future," he said.
The game, at Elland Road, remains on course to be a sell-out.
