David Jean
Canberra Raiders coach Neil Henry is poised to throw youngster Joe Picker one of the toughest assignments in rugby league when he tasks him with shutting down Kiwi superstar Sonny Bill Williams.
Henry hinted yesterday he would hand Picker his starting debut against the Bulldogs at Telstra Stadium on Sunday, standing directly opposite dangerous back-rower Williams.
The move will allow Henry to deploy Queensland Origin enforcer Neville Costigan off the bench, while shifting Glen Turner to lock to cover for injured captain Alan Tongue.
The Raiders are bracing themselves for a torrid up-front battle against a Bulldogs pack boasting the likes of Andrew Ryan, Reni Maitua and Mark O'Meley in a game they must win to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
And with defensive specialist Nigel Plum battling a possible season-ending shoulder injury it is Picker who will face the biggest task in keeping Williams quiet.
Picker scored two tries playing in the centres against the North Queensland Cowboys last week in his seventh appearance off the bench this season.
The 19-year-old said he would relish the opportunity to clash with one of the biggest names in rugby league.
"He's got a big name Sonny Bill Williams but you can't worry too much about it," Picker said.
"I'll watch what he does on the video and just get out there and take the yards off him and try not to give him much time.
"They've always had a good pack and a big pack.
"They're strong and it's going to be a big challenge but the NRL is that strong right across the park that it doesn't really matter who you come up against."
Williams has been in stellar form for the Bulldogs this season and is leading the competition in offloads with 53.
The 22-year-old has already played six Tests for his country and is one of the genuine superstars of the game.
Picker played for the Junior Kangaroos last season before making his NRL debut against Melbourne in round two this year.
The Bulldogs will also be boosted by the return of Test prop O'Meley, who is slated to start on the bench.
Henry said Matt Bickerstaff would also spend time opposite Williams, allowing Costigan to make an impact on the other side of the field.
He was confident Turner would ably fill the gap left by Tongue, the team's best defender.
"He's a good talker and a solid defender so I think he'll be good around that ruck area for our forwards," Henry said of Turner.
"The Bulldogs are very strong around that area and they like to go forward through that area so we need to be good.
"Also Matt Bickerstaff's talk around the edges is very good and Joe Picker was unfortunate last week against the Cowboys that he had to defend in the centres, which was very difficult for him at times."
The Raiders are likely to draft prop Michael Weyman onto the bench following the loss of Tongue, while Terry Campese will travel to Sydney as the 18th man.
Reserve forward Tom Learoyd-Lahrs is battling shoulder problems but is likely to play.
Henry put halves combination Michael Dobson and Todd Carney back on notice yesterday, saying Campese was within striking distance of an NRL recall.
He also hinted reserve hooker Ryan Hinchcliffe could force his way back into the team for the last three rounds of the season.
"It's not set in stone that it will be Dobson and Carney at six and seven for the rest of the season," Henry said. "[Campese] is in the mix - we talked [yesterday] and we'll bring him across in the squad."
SUNDAY Canberra Raiders v Bulldogs, at Telstra Stadium, 2pm. TV Time: Live on Fox Sports3
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Campo 18th man , may get a run , I like Picker starting hope he takes it to SBW.
