Eels can cope without Cayless: Hindmarsh
Parramatta star Nathan Hindmarsh declared "we'll cope" after a season-ending eye injury to captain Nathan Cayless reduced the NRL club to just one recognised prop.
Cayless was named for Sunday's blockbuster clash against Brisbane, but a CT scan revealed the New Zealand international had sustained a fractured eye socket.
The Eels already had five props in the casualty ward, with Aaron Cannings (shoulder), Adam Peek (jaw), Michael Vella (ankle), Justin Tsoulos (shoulder) and Paul Stringer (back - retired) all injured, while enforcer Fuifui Moimoi is suspended until week three of the finals.
Stand-in skipper Hindmarsh said the Eels had the depth to overcome the losses, even though youngster Josh Cordoba's 11 first grade appearances have all been off the interchange bench.
We'll cope," said Hindmarsh, who has been forced to play an increasing number of minutes in the front row.
"(Cayless) has been playing some good footy, he'll be missed for sure, but we'll find a spot for someone.
"We haven't had too much luck with our big boys this year.
"We're a versatile side and can slot players up there reasonably easy.
"We might not have the big boppers but we'll get the job done."
The Test back rower said the West Tigers' run to the NRL premiership last year proved a massive pack wasn't a prerequisite for success.
"That's true, we can take something out of that," he said.
"What we lack in size we'll make up with a bit of fitness and endurance.
"We have got a big test this weekend against Brisbane, Petero (Civoniceva) and (Shane) Webcke are two of the biggest and best front rowers going around.
"We'll see how we go after that game and reassess a few positions.
"They are a big pack compared to what we've got and I don't think we'll be running straight into them, I know I won't be anyway."
In some good news for the Eels, Vella is expected to come back in time for the finals.
"We're still very positive about it," coach Jason Taylor said.
"(I've) spoken to the players about it and it's business as usual for us heading towards this weekend.
"We don't see any reason why we can't keep playing as well as we have been and be a threat coming into the semi-finals.
"We've got good players, we're confident in their ability and what number they wear on their back or where they pack down in the scrum really doesn't have much significance as far as I'm concerned."
Taylor had every confidence Cordoba would handle the challenge of being in the run-on side against the Broncos.
"Somebody's misfortune is somebody else's fortune and Josh gets the opportunity now to be the starting front-rower in the Parramatta Eels first grade team," he said.
"For him that's an enormous highlight and we'll be focussing on that side of it.
"I'm really confident he'll do a good job for us."
Meanwhile, Manly is still confident centre Steve Matai would beat assault charges, but the club clarified that there was no CCTV footage of the Surf Rock Hotel incident.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=62055
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Parramatta star Nathan Hindmarsh declared "we'll cope" after a season-ending eye injury to captain Nathan Cayless reduced the NRL club to just one recognised prop.
Cayless was named for Sunday's blockbuster clash against Brisbane, but a CT scan revealed the New Zealand international had sustained a fractured eye socket.
The Eels already had five props in the casualty ward, with Aaron Cannings (shoulder), Adam Peek (jaw), Michael Vella (ankle), Justin Tsoulos (shoulder) and Paul Stringer (back - retired) all injured, while enforcer Fuifui Moimoi is suspended until week three of the finals.
Stand-in skipper Hindmarsh said the Eels had the depth to overcome the losses, even though youngster Josh Cordoba's 11 first grade appearances have all been off the interchange bench.
We'll cope," said Hindmarsh, who has been forced to play an increasing number of minutes in the front row.
"(Cayless) has been playing some good footy, he'll be missed for sure, but we'll find a spot for someone.
"We haven't had too much luck with our big boys this year.
"We're a versatile side and can slot players up there reasonably easy.
"We might not have the big boppers but we'll get the job done."
The Test back rower said the West Tigers' run to the NRL premiership last year proved a massive pack wasn't a prerequisite for success.
"That's true, we can take something out of that," he said.
"What we lack in size we'll make up with a bit of fitness and endurance.
"We have got a big test this weekend against Brisbane, Petero (Civoniceva) and (Shane) Webcke are two of the biggest and best front rowers going around.
"We'll see how we go after that game and reassess a few positions.
"They are a big pack compared to what we've got and I don't think we'll be running straight into them, I know I won't be anyway."
In some good news for the Eels, Vella is expected to come back in time for the finals.
"We're still very positive about it," coach Jason Taylor said.
"(I've) spoken to the players about it and it's business as usual for us heading towards this weekend.
"We don't see any reason why we can't keep playing as well as we have been and be a threat coming into the semi-finals.
"We've got good players, we're confident in their ability and what number they wear on their back or where they pack down in the scrum really doesn't have much significance as far as I'm concerned."
Taylor had every confidence Cordoba would handle the challenge of being in the run-on side against the Broncos.
"Somebody's misfortune is somebody else's fortune and Josh gets the opportunity now to be the starting front-rower in the Parramatta Eels first grade team," he said.
"For him that's an enormous highlight and we'll be focussing on that side of it.
"I'm really confident he'll do a good job for us."
Meanwhile, Manly is still confident centre Steve Matai would beat assault charges, but the club clarified that there was no CCTV footage of the Surf Rock Hotel incident.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=62055
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