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Injury strikes down Sailor's heir apparent again
BRAD WALTER
February 21, 2010
Dragons 16 Bulldogs 14
Down ... Bulldogs players pile on to tackle Dragon Matt Prior. Photo: Getty Images
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New Dragons recruit Peni Tagive's 2010 premiership campaign may be over before it started, with St George Illawarra officials last night fearing the Fiji speedster had become the first major casualty of the season.
Tagive, one of the Dragons' few off-season signings, lasted just 14 minutes in his bid to show coach Wayne Bennett he was the man to fill the right-wing spot made vacant by the retirement of Wendell Sailor. Tagive injured his knee and had to be assisted from the field in last night's 16-14 trial win against Canterbury.
The 21-year-old will undergo scans this week but his cruciate ligament is thought to be damaged and may require surgery. If so, it would be the second successive season Tagive has had cut short. A shoulder injury in round 12 last year ended his stint with Wests Tigers.
''It's unfortunate for him so I hope it's not too serious,'' Sailor said. ''He's the fastest guy in the club - he's faster than Matt Cooper.''
Cooper, who suffered a minor hamstring strain in last weekend's All Stars match, was rested from the match and suspended centre partner Beau Scott also did not play.
But the Dragons were otherwise at full strength. The club's other off-season recruits, fullback Bronx Goodwin (Cronulla) and props Michael Greenfield (Souths) and Junior Paulo (Parramatta), all played in the second half.
The Bulldogs also had all their big names but it wasn't until the half-time injection of boom centre Jamal Idris that the game came to life. The scoreless first half may have had some wondering if it was too early in the season to write off these two teams as premiership contenders.
''They were two of the best defensive sides last year and they have both been outstanding in defence,'' Sailor told the crowd at half-time in his new role as big-screen commentator. ''I wouldn't mind a bit more attack but it's all about timing this early in the season.''
Idris, who missed the Indigenous All Stars' 16-12 win after withdrawing on the day of the match with a hamstring complaint, scored two tries in a performance that should already have NSW Origin selectors considering blooding him in this year's series.
The giant centre's first touch of the ball resulted in the opening try of the match when he charged over in the 45th minute. Winger Heka Nanai followed five minutes later to send the large contingent of Bulldogs fans into raptures.
The home side hit back through a 70 metre try by winger Michael Lett in the 57th minute but when Idris crossed again, the Bulldogs looked set for a win. Then Goodwin snatched a win for his new club with the sideline conversion of Joe Vickery's 80th minute try after prop Jon Green put the Dragons within reach, planting the ball in the 67th minute.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ailors-heir-apparent-again-20100220-omva.html
BRAD WALTER
February 21, 2010
Dragons 16 Bulldogs 14
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New Dragons recruit Peni Tagive's 2010 premiership campaign may be over before it started, with St George Illawarra officials last night fearing the Fiji speedster had become the first major casualty of the season.
Tagive, one of the Dragons' few off-season signings, lasted just 14 minutes in his bid to show coach Wayne Bennett he was the man to fill the right-wing spot made vacant by the retirement of Wendell Sailor. Tagive injured his knee and had to be assisted from the field in last night's 16-14 trial win against Canterbury.
The 21-year-old will undergo scans this week but his cruciate ligament is thought to be damaged and may require surgery. If so, it would be the second successive season Tagive has had cut short. A shoulder injury in round 12 last year ended his stint with Wests Tigers.
''It's unfortunate for him so I hope it's not too serious,'' Sailor said. ''He's the fastest guy in the club - he's faster than Matt Cooper.''
Cooper, who suffered a minor hamstring strain in last weekend's All Stars match, was rested from the match and suspended centre partner Beau Scott also did not play.
But the Dragons were otherwise at full strength. The club's other off-season recruits, fullback Bronx Goodwin (Cronulla) and props Michael Greenfield (Souths) and Junior Paulo (Parramatta), all played in the second half.
The Bulldogs also had all their big names but it wasn't until the half-time injection of boom centre Jamal Idris that the game came to life. The scoreless first half may have had some wondering if it was too early in the season to write off these two teams as premiership contenders.
''They were two of the best defensive sides last year and they have both been outstanding in defence,'' Sailor told the crowd at half-time in his new role as big-screen commentator. ''I wouldn't mind a bit more attack but it's all about timing this early in the season.''
Idris, who missed the Indigenous All Stars' 16-12 win after withdrawing on the day of the match with a hamstring complaint, scored two tries in a performance that should already have NSW Origin selectors considering blooding him in this year's series.
The giant centre's first touch of the ball resulted in the opening try of the match when he charged over in the 45th minute. Winger Heka Nanai followed five minutes later to send the large contingent of Bulldogs fans into raptures.
The home side hit back through a 70 metre try by winger Michael Lett in the 57th minute but when Idris crossed again, the Bulldogs looked set for a win. Then Goodwin snatched a win for his new club with the sideline conversion of Joe Vickery's 80th minute try after prop Jon Green put the Dragons within reach, planting the ball in the 67th minute.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ailors-heir-apparent-again-20100220-omva.html
