Mar 17, 2004
Slim Saints face heavy task
By Josh Massoud
If it were boxing, authorities wouldn’t let the bout go ahead. Even in a sport renowned for its brutal courage, 21 kilos is simply too big an advantage to concede.
The weight difference between the St George Illawarra Dragons' and New Zealand Warriors' packs that will collide this Saturday night at Ericsson Stadium is considerable, but there won’t be any respite for the Dragons.
With the loss of Kangaroo prop Luke Bailey to suspension today, on top of fellow Test bookend Jason Ryles continued omission due to a shoulder injury, the Saints’ pack has suddenly shrunk overnight.
And with arguably the NRL’s most fearsome front row combination in their path this weekend, it appears fate couldn’t have picked a worse time to enforce a diet up front.
Named to negate Warriors monsters Iafeta Palea’aesina (110kg) and Karl Temata (104kg) are Nathan Long and Lance Thomson, normally a second rower or lock who makes a rare appearance at prop this weekend. Long and Thompson each tip the scales at a ‘puny’ 103kgs, and when both back rows are taken into account, the Saints’ pack (minus hookers) will go in 4.2 kg lighter per man.
Their task might have been even more difficult had heavyweights Richard Villasanti, Jerry Seuseu and regular captain Monty Betham been available for the home side.
Unless the Dragons’ forwards display a greater willingness to offload and establish quick play the balls than they did last week against Canberra, Auckland might suddenly become a very cramped place for the team’s pacy backline.
Although underweight, St George Illawarra will take heart from their last foray across the ditch in 2002, when a side minus representative stars Trent Barrett, Shaun Timmins, Mark Gasnier, Bailey and Ryles prevailed 32-22.
After beginning 2004 on a losing note, both teams will be desperate to avoid a 0-2 start. Deputising as Warriors captain for the suspended Betham, who is in any case expected to miss the next 11 weeks with a broken arm, is lock Awen Guttenbeil, who has led the side previously.
Exciting local Tevita Latu has recovered from injury and illness just in time to replace Betham at hooker, with Warriors coach Daniel Anderson declaring, "Both his natural fitness and attitude towards training has reassured us that he is ready to play NRL this weekend."
TEAMS
Dragons: 1. Ben Hornby, 2. Nathan Blacklock, 3. Mark Gasnier, 4. Matt Cooper, 5. Reece Simmonds, 6. Trent Barrett (C), 7. Brett Firman, 8. Lance Thompson, 9. Mark Riddell, 10. Nathan Long, 11. Dean Young, 12. Henry Perenara, 13. Shaun Timmins.
Bench: 14. Ashton Sims, 15. Brent Kite, 16. Justin Poore, 17. Lincoln Withers, 18. Michael Howell, 19. Ryan Powell.
Warriors: 1. Brent Webb, 2. Henry Fa’afili, 3. Vinnie Anderson, 4. Clinton Toopi, 5. Francis Meli, 6. Thomas Leuluai, 7. Stacey Jones, 8. Karl Temata, 9. Tevita Latu, 10. Iafeta Palea'aesina, 11. Sione Faumuina, 12. Ali Lauitiiti, 13. Awen Guttenbeil (C).
Bench: 14. Epalahame Lauaki, 15. Mark Tookey, 16. Wairangi Koopu, 17. Tony Martin, 18. Justin Murphy, 20. Paul Dezolt, 23. Evarn Tuimavave.
