Kearney plays down Tonga talk
Steve Jancetic AAP Fri, Jul 29, 2011 - 1:43 PM
Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney denies the fact he has been forced to name two backrowers in the centres is proof of his NRL club's desperation to sign off-contract representative star Willie Tonga.
Tonga was this week granted a release from the final year of his contract with North Queensland, with the Eels thought to be leading the chase for his signature where he could team up with brother and fellow recruit Esi Tonga in 2012.
While injuries have played their part, Kearney's lack of depth in the centres has resulted in Justin Horo and Ben Smith - both more recognised as backrowers - being named in the backs to face Melbourne on Monday night.
Asked whether the situation highlighted the need for someone of Tonga's ilk, Kearney said:
"It would be lovely to have someone of Will's calibre, but that's what we've been presented with at the moment and the guys will do the best they can," Kearney said.
"They (Horo and Smith) do a fairly good job in those positions, obviously it's not their favoured spots, but Justin's probably one of the quicker forwards on the team and you saw Ben chase down Benji (Marshall) so he must be quick.
"That's the circumstance we're in at the moment as a footy club with our personnel - we're not going to complain about who we haven't got or what we haven't got, the guys know their responsibilities and their jobs."
As for whether Tonga was on the club's shopping list, Kearney said:
"My focus is preparing the side for a real tough challenge on Monday night and I'll leave that to our NRL recruitment man."
