Vella steps up for absent Hindmarsh
July 2, 2004 - 4:05PM
Parramatta prop Michael Vella has vowed to shoulder extra responsibility in the absence of workaholic teammate Nathan Hindmarsh in Saturday's National Rugby League match against the New Zealand Warriors at Ericsson Stadium.
Vella said the loss of Hindmarsh, who is in camp with the NSW State of Origin team, will be a massive blow for the Eels, who are coming off consecutive losses to Brisbane and Penrith.
"He does a lot of work for us because he is out there for 80 minutes," Vella said of the Origin second-rower.
"A few of the experienced players like myself will have to step up and share the workload."
The former Test forward said the Eels pack would put in an extra effort to compensate for their missing star, one of the hardest-working forwards in the NRL.
"(Corey) Pearson will have to do a bit more," Vella said.
"(Craig) Stapleton has been good for us this year and Justin Tsoulos can get through some work for a big boy.
"We will all have to lift to help the club go forward."
Vella had one of his best games of the year during the Eels' 26-16 loss to the Panthers last weekend, making several incisive runs and scoring the opening try of the game.
The Eels No.10 said he was starting to regain match fitness after being hampered by injury earlier in the season.
"I feel like I have put together a few good games back to back," Vella said.
"I've got some fitness back and I am playing a bit better, so I want to build on that."
The Warriors will be missing several key players - Sione Faumuina, Francis Meli, Jerry Seuseu are serving suspensions, while Wairangi Koopu and Vince Mellars head the casualty list.
Warriors coach Tony Kemp has also made some positional changes, naming Tony Martin at five-eighth in place of Lance Hohaia, who was the pivot during the Warriors' 42-6 loss to the Storm last weekend. Hohaia will come off the bench, while Jerome Ropati comes into the centres.
The Warriors have a poor record at Ericsson Stadium this year, winning only two of their last seven games. However, they have beaten Parramatta in their last three matches at the ground.
