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Kite wants break before NRL finals
Tuesday, August 7, 2007 - 6:45 PM
Manly prop Brent Kite will ask coach Des Hasler for a rest over the final month of the NRL season as the Sea Eagles put September glory ahead of a minor premiership.
Kite has not missed a game this year, playing 18 NRL clashes, three State of Origin appearances for NSW and a Test match for Australia.
Add to his schedule the complete Tri Nations series at the end of last year and few could argue the workaholic forward doesn't deserve a break.
The 26-year-old said he would seek a rest once fellow bookend Jason King returns from a knee injury, most likely in round 24.
Hasler said he would consider resting his Origin stars in the final four weeks of the season, going against the system employed by ladder leaders Melbourne.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy has rotated his Origin stars this year but said after resting hooker Cameron Smith for Monday night's one-point win over Cronulla he would shelve the idea for the remainder of 2007.
But Kite can't see any problem in taking a week's rest just before the finals, particularly if Manly cannot claim the minor premiership or drop from second place if they lose.
"I would be open for (a rest)," said Kite.
"This is my biggest workload ... I'm a little bit older and I'm starting to feel it a little bit. It's the first time I've felt the body, sort of the creeps in the old joints.
"(Hasler) has mentioned (a rest) before and at the moment we have Jason King out and it may be something we look at once Kingy is back on board.
"In a way he (King) is getting a freshen up from that contact now ... he should come back nice and fresh and if I get a week then I'd be happy for it."
Hasler said giving his players a rest would be discussed amongst the coaching staff as they have to weigh up whether to risk losing momentum by making team changes during their run home.
"The only trouble is if you rest players everybody else has to share the workload," said Hasler.
"It's something we will possibly look at ... if we do that obviously the first ones will be the ones involved in Origin who are possibly in need of a rest."
Manly have not given up hope of claiming the minor premiership, but they trail Melbourne by two points and on points differential so would need the Storm to lose at least two more games and the Sea Eagles remain undefeated over the final month to grab the title.
Kite said the players had made a pact to continue their five-game winning streak right through until the end of the season and seal the year with a premiership.
"It's something we've spoken about, we've put four or five (wins) together now and we don't want to lose until October and hopefully that's the case," he said.
Hasler said the minor title is out of Manly's control, but doesn't believe the Storm are vulnerable after losing to the Sydney Roosters and sneaking home over the Sharks in successive weeks.
"We can't control (the minor premiership), that's all in Melbourne's court," said Hasler.
"Obviously they have to lose games for that to happen and we have to keep winning games.
"I don't think they're in a slump. Melbourne took the option of resting Cameron Smith and it's always a calculated risk of resting someone and taking Cameron Smith out of their game plan.
"(Minor title) is not a real focus, we have other more important things as far as priorities are concerned, things we have to fix up."
Meanwhile, Warringah Council said the NRL had yet to organise a meeting with them to discuss the impasse over Brookvale Oval hosting Manly's semi-final.
And Bulldogs forward Brad Morrin is expected to accuse Parramatta centre Timana Tahu of a lifting tackle and head slam in attempting to get a reduced suspension for biting at the NRL Judiciary on Wednesday night.
Morrin has pleaded guilty to biting Tahu on the bicep last Friday and faces a ban of up to 12 weeks, ruling him out for the rest of 2007.
Source: AAP
Tuesday, August 7, 2007 - 6:45 PM
Manly prop Brent Kite will ask coach Des Hasler for a rest over the final month of the NRL season as the Sea Eagles put September glory ahead of a minor premiership.
Kite has not missed a game this year, playing 18 NRL clashes, three State of Origin appearances for NSW and a Test match for Australia.
Add to his schedule the complete Tri Nations series at the end of last year and few could argue the workaholic forward doesn't deserve a break.
The 26-year-old said he would seek a rest once fellow bookend Jason King returns from a knee injury, most likely in round 24.
Hasler said he would consider resting his Origin stars in the final four weeks of the season, going against the system employed by ladder leaders Melbourne.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy has rotated his Origin stars this year but said after resting hooker Cameron Smith for Monday night's one-point win over Cronulla he would shelve the idea for the remainder of 2007.
But Kite can't see any problem in taking a week's rest just before the finals, particularly if Manly cannot claim the minor premiership or drop from second place if they lose.
"I would be open for (a rest)," said Kite.
"This is my biggest workload ... I'm a little bit older and I'm starting to feel it a little bit. It's the first time I've felt the body, sort of the creeps in the old joints.
"(Hasler) has mentioned (a rest) before and at the moment we have Jason King out and it may be something we look at once Kingy is back on board.
"In a way he (King) is getting a freshen up from that contact now ... he should come back nice and fresh and if I get a week then I'd be happy for it."
Hasler said giving his players a rest would be discussed amongst the coaching staff as they have to weigh up whether to risk losing momentum by making team changes during their run home.
"The only trouble is if you rest players everybody else has to share the workload," said Hasler.
"It's something we will possibly look at ... if we do that obviously the first ones will be the ones involved in Origin who are possibly in need of a rest."
Manly have not given up hope of claiming the minor premiership, but they trail Melbourne by two points and on points differential so would need the Storm to lose at least two more games and the Sea Eagles remain undefeated over the final month to grab the title.
Kite said the players had made a pact to continue their five-game winning streak right through until the end of the season and seal the year with a premiership.
"It's something we've spoken about, we've put four or five (wins) together now and we don't want to lose until October and hopefully that's the case," he said.
Hasler said the minor title is out of Manly's control, but doesn't believe the Storm are vulnerable after losing to the Sydney Roosters and sneaking home over the Sharks in successive weeks.
"We can't control (the minor premiership), that's all in Melbourne's court," said Hasler.
"Obviously they have to lose games for that to happen and we have to keep winning games.
"I don't think they're in a slump. Melbourne took the option of resting Cameron Smith and it's always a calculated risk of resting someone and taking Cameron Smith out of their game plan.
"(Minor title) is not a real focus, we have other more important things as far as priorities are concerned, things we have to fix up."
Meanwhile, Warringah Council said the NRL had yet to organise a meeting with them to discuss the impasse over Brookvale Oval hosting Manly's semi-final.
And Bulldogs forward Brad Morrin is expected to accuse Parramatta centre Timana Tahu of a lifting tackle and head slam in attempting to get a reduced suspension for biting at the NRL Judiciary on Wednesday night.
Morrin has pleaded guilty to biting Tahu on the bicep last Friday and faces a ban of up to 12 weeks, ruling him out for the rest of 2007.
Source: AAP
