Fifita 100% will play

[Poss]

Cronulla lost NSW Origin prop Andrew Fifita after he injured his calf midway through the first half, but the Sharks expect him to be fit to play the Cowboys.


"He’s had a calf strain for six or seven weeks and the plan was to play him for 20 minutes,’’ Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said.


“One hundred per cent [he will play next weekend]. He could have gone back on today. ‘’


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ders-season-20130908-2te3k.html#ixzz2eLPZFpEZ​

 

[Poss]

In a game where Sharkies coach Shane Flanagan did everything to prevent injury bar sending his players out in bubble wrap, NSW Origin star Fifita still sent a scare through the camp when he hobbled off midway through the first half of a 38-18 win.
While early reports suggested the 114kg forward had torn his calf, and could miss at least a fortnight, Fifita told The Daily Telegraph afterwards he would be a certain starter for week one of the finals against North Queensland.
“Oh, hell yeah,’’ he said when quizzed about his availability for the Cowboys match. “It’s an elimination final. I don’t wanna let my teammates down.”
So what about the boot?
“Just a precaution,’’ he continued. “I knew as soon as I came off I was gone. I came up into the sheds and they said I had two little strains in the calf, nothing major.

“I got treatment on the sideline to go back on but couldn’t. I wanted to but I could’ve done more damage. I’m just happy it’s only a strain.”
With their place in the NRL top eight already secure, Flanagan conceded his main goal was to get through 80 minutes at Canberra Stadium without suffering an injury or potential suspension.
Apart from having skipper Paul Gallen suspended, the coach also rested Todd Carney, Wade Graham, Jason Bukuya and Anthony Tupou - all of whom will be back for week one of the playoffs.
Speaking at the press conference, Flanagan confirmed Fifita would be right for the playoffs saying: “100 per cent, mate ... he could’ve gone back on today, there’s no problems there at all.
“He’s had a calf strain for six or seven weeks so the plan was to play him 20 minutes. I even considered not starting him but I didn’t want to put up with him on the sideline for that long so I got rid of him for 20 minutes.”
Call it about the only guarantee you could take from this one.
That and the fact Bryce Gibbs, the Sharks funnyman whose try drought had stretched way back to the 2005 Grand Final, is finally free of his nudie run curse after crossing the stripe with under six minutes to play.
Incredibly, Raiders prop Dave Shillington, who had himself been stuck on the duck egg all year, also crossed for a double in one of the few highlights for a club who finished the year with six straight losses, no Blake Ferguson and a caretaker coach who must surely be long odds to retain the gig.
Yet exactly how far the Sharkies progress into September was impossible to gauge given that apart from missing five genuine starters - six if you include Fifita - they were also facing a Raiders said that looked every inch an outfit that had sacked two NSW Origin players within a year.
Indeed, despite trailing by only two with a tick over 10 minutes to go, the Raiders had still kicked out on the full from the kick off, kicked out on the full from a drop out and also played a man short for 10 minutes following the 51st sin binning of centre Sami Sauiluma.
Regardless, Flanagan praised the effort of his side in a game that, apart from officially ending the NRL regular season, carried little weight.
“It’s been a really tough year off the field but they’ve shown they’re a tough group,’’ he said. “The club has stuck solid with the boys and we’ve worked really hard. To come fifth after some of the stuff we’ve been through is a great achievement.”
For the Raiders, however, it was their sixth loss in as many weeks.
“And that effort tonight summed up our last five weeks,’’ Raiders skipper Terry Campese said. “We just don’t compete for the 80 minutes. We clock off.”

- See more at: http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...ers/story-fn2mcuj6-1226714808601#.Ui0Arsamh14

 

[spirit of league]

Cue the relief. Great news.

I don't have the expertise the comment with any authority, but have to ask the question re: our injury management program if resting him totally may have been the better option last night given the circumstances. Why plan to play him only 20 mins? Match fitness for 20 mins? Anybody have any ideas?

 

[spirit of league]

Just seen Flanno's reason above. WTF ??

 

[Feej]

I even considered not starting him but I didn’t want to put up with him on the sideline for that long so I got rid of him for 20 minutes.”

:lol:

 

[spider]

it seems as though he was almost going to be rested altogether

one would think if the calf niggle was bad he would never have risked him at all

 

[Card Shark]

Geez, that's a relief.

Cowboys are likely to have Scott back from the broken finger sustained against us.

 

[shaggs]

It's all ducks and drakes.

I'm waiting for the footage durin the week of Todd not training with his hammy strapped and iced.

Gal in a boot.

Flanno with a bandage around his head

Then we will see JT with his ears bandaged up.

This time of the year it's not about strength or speed. It's about the mindset. The mental side of football.
Tactically flanno is never going to be Bennett or Bellamy, but he appears to have all the players wanting to be together. Is he the man manager to get it done??,,

 

[chewsta]

Yeah, i also wonder why we risked him if he has been carrying for so long.
In other good news Lewy actually said he feels fantastic and 100% fit when interviewed after the game last night. Which is a relief.

 

[Card Shark]

Is he the man manager to get it done??,,

That's his best attribute.

 

[Card Shark]

In other good news Lewy actually said he feels fantastic and 100% fit when interviewed after the game last night. Which is a relief.

That totally surprised me Chewsta.

If we have our big names fit, we are in good shape to rattle this comp.

 

[The Dodger]

what about Morris, anyone know if he will be OK?

 

[Poss]

Morris was at the post match press conference and looked fine.
Didnt get asked a question though.
Lewis and Flanno did all the talking.
Flanno made a joke about it at the end thanking Morris for turning up.

 

[Coastal Shark]

Then we will see JT with his ears bandaged up.

Geeze that would take some bandages.

 

[Weaponhead]

With Graham, Gallen, Tupou and Bakuya to come back into the squad and Fifita fit who will miss out?

It looks like Taga, Gibbs and Ross competing for one spot. Who would you play and why?

8. Fifita
9. Morris
10. ???
11. Lewis
12. Graham
13. Gallen

14. De Gois
15. Heighington
16. Bakuya
17. Tupou

 

[The Dodger]

as much as I like ross and gibbs, big sam should get the spot, runs hard and his defending is levels above the other two.

 

[Weaponhead]

It is a tough call. I would be very tempted to start Gibbs for his defence and his experience but I am not sure about his fitness or agility atm given his lack of footy this year. Taga has been excellent this year and Ross is a warrior.

Of the three I wouldn't go with Ross because his lags have gone he would be vulnerable to footwork.

I would be tempted to push Gallen to prop with Taga/Gibbs and move Fifta to the bench. Bring Fifita on after 20 and leave him on for 60. With some heat out of the collisions he will create havoc.

 

[Card Shark]

I'd nearly pick Gibbs & Taga, Heighington misses out.

Won't happen though.

 

[shaggs]

That's a small bench.

I would have Gibbs over Ross. Defensively better and keeps on keeping on.

I would like taga onto the bench. He has been goin well but who do you drop?? De gois??

 

[Frenzy.]

Gibbs.

He's a lucky charm