- Messages
- 20,787
Phil Gould's first recruit Junior Vaivai to debut tonight
Exclusive by Josh Massoud From: The Daily Telegraph June 18, 2011 12:00AM
PHIL Gould's first recruit at Penrith will be unveiled in Newcastle tonight as the Panthers seek revenge for a round-one flogging.
Snapped up following a controversial departure from Souths, Junior Vaivai will line up at left centre for the injury-ravaged mountain men.
The Rabbitohs stood Vaivai down after he was convicted of assaulting his girlfriend.
The 21-year-old pleaded guilty and was fined $2500.
Also serving a two-year good behaviour bond, Vaivai was eventually released to the Panthers a fortnight ago and played his first game in six weeks for NSW Cup feeder side Windsor Wolves last Saturday afternoon.
Coach Matt Elliott did not name Vaivai in his 17 for the Knights clash, but the withdrawal of star Blues utility Luke Lewis (hamstring) opened the door for the youngster's NRL redemption.
Elliott originally named Junior Paulo as a makeshift replacement for injured left centre Michael Jennings.
But Vaivai will now fill that slot, with Paulo expected to cover for Lewis in the back-row. Given he's departing Penrith at the end of this season, Elliott had little involvement in Vaivai's recruitment and told The Daily Telegraph that Gould was behind the move.
The coach said Penrith's backline injury crisis - Sandor Earl, Michael Gordon and Timana Tahu are also gone for the season - forced the club's hand.
"We're pretty short on outside backs and Gus (Gould) took the opportunity to bring Junior across," Elliott said.
"Obviously we've had a bit of insight into his history, but he's been great.
"He played 80 minutes of Premier League last week and he looked to be in good physical condition."
Elliott also confirmed that skipper Petero Civoniceva would start the game.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/phil-goulds-first-recruit-junior-vaivai-to-debut-tonight/story-e6frexnr-1226077342029
Exclusive by Josh Massoud From: The Daily Telegraph June 18, 2011 12:00AM
PHIL Gould's first recruit at Penrith will be unveiled in Newcastle tonight as the Panthers seek revenge for a round-one flogging.
Snapped up following a controversial departure from Souths, Junior Vaivai will line up at left centre for the injury-ravaged mountain men.
The Rabbitohs stood Vaivai down after he was convicted of assaulting his girlfriend.
The 21-year-old pleaded guilty and was fined $2500.
Also serving a two-year good behaviour bond, Vaivai was eventually released to the Panthers a fortnight ago and played his first game in six weeks for NSW Cup feeder side Windsor Wolves last Saturday afternoon.
Coach Matt Elliott did not name Vaivai in his 17 for the Knights clash, but the withdrawal of star Blues utility Luke Lewis (hamstring) opened the door for the youngster's NRL redemption.
Elliott originally named Junior Paulo as a makeshift replacement for injured left centre Michael Jennings.
But Vaivai will now fill that slot, with Paulo expected to cover for Lewis in the back-row. Given he's departing Penrith at the end of this season, Elliott had little involvement in Vaivai's recruitment and told The Daily Telegraph that Gould was behind the move.
The coach said Penrith's backline injury crisis - Sandor Earl, Michael Gordon and Timana Tahu are also gone for the season - forced the club's hand.
"We're pretty short on outside backs and Gus (Gould) took the opportunity to bring Junior across," Elliott said.
"Obviously we've had a bit of insight into his history, but he's been great.
"He played 80 minutes of Premier League last week and he looked to be in good physical condition."
Elliott also confirmed that skipper Petero Civoniceva would start the game.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/phil-goulds-first-recruit-junior-vaivai-to-debut-tonight/story-e6frexnr-1226077342029
