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Wesser To Souths
Roosters in Hunt for Mini replacement
Dan Koch and Brent Read | July 18, 2008
THE Roosters are preparing for the possibility of life without star fullback Anthony Minichiello and have earmarked the man who replaced him in Australia's Test side, Brisbane ace Karmichael Hunt, to fill the sizeable void his departure would leave.
Minichiello's career with the tri-colours hangs by a thread, as the hard-running custodian battles to overcome the latest in a series of spinal problems. Having battled chronic back injuries for the past three seasons, Minichiello was last month grounded by a bulging disc in his neck.
While the determined 172- game veteran has vowed to return before the finals series, his long-term future is in grave doubt.
Those doubts are believed to have led to the Roosters floating the possibility of luring Hunt when his contract expires at the end of 2009.
With Wayne Bennett at the helm of St George Illawarra next season, and the club flush with funds due to the departure of Jason Ryles, Mark Gasnier and Josh Morris, the Dragons are also believed to be ready to make a play for Hunt. And the Panthers could also join the race should Rhys Wesser accept an offer to join Souths in the spring.
Hunt has indicated his first preference would be to remain with the Broncos, but said he would consider any offers.
Complicating the issue for Brisbane, which will need to offer Hunt a significant contract upgrade, is the fact captain Darren Lockyer also comes off-contract at the end of 2009.
Assistant coach Ivan Henjak, who takes over as head coach next season, said he was desperate to retain the star duo.
"They are together next year and we will worry about 2010 then," Henjak said.
"The club will talk to both managers when the time is right and hopefully they can work something out. I am certainly hopeful they will both be able to stay with us."
Of more immediate concern to Henjak was tonight's derby with the injury-ravaged North Queensland Cowboys.
Coming off a surprise loss to the second-last placed Bulldogs last week, Henjak said there would be no excuse for any complacency from the Broncos.
"It's not dissimilar to last week against the Bulldogs when we were expected to win and we came up short," Henjak said.
"We've certainly talked about the ambush. And it's not going to be an ambush because we know it's coming."
Veteran lock Tonie Carroll was ruled out yesterday with an ankle injury. Ashton Sims moves into the starting line-up. David Stagg has also dropped back to the bench from the centres in favour of Joel Moon.
"There's no pressure on them. They're not expected to win," Henjak said. "They've lost 10 in a row and this is a game where they can redeem themselves.
Cowboys coach Ian Millward called on star off-season signing Travis Burns to start repaying the debt he owes the club after a season which has been riddled with injury and suspension.
"Travis will play there and he probably owes the club something," Millward said.
"He owes us a couple. He probably owes the club eight good games to end the year.
"I'm pretty confident (Burns) understands what we want from him and he's pretty excited about the challenge."
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...012431,00.html
Roosters in Hunt for Mini replacement
Dan Koch and Brent Read | July 18, 2008
THE Roosters are preparing for the possibility of life without star fullback Anthony Minichiello and have earmarked the man who replaced him in Australia's Test side, Brisbane ace Karmichael Hunt, to fill the sizeable void his departure would leave.
Minichiello's career with the tri-colours hangs by a thread, as the hard-running custodian battles to overcome the latest in a series of spinal problems. Having battled chronic back injuries for the past three seasons, Minichiello was last month grounded by a bulging disc in his neck.
While the determined 172- game veteran has vowed to return before the finals series, his long-term future is in grave doubt.
Those doubts are believed to have led to the Roosters floating the possibility of luring Hunt when his contract expires at the end of 2009.
With Wayne Bennett at the helm of St George Illawarra next season, and the club flush with funds due to the departure of Jason Ryles, Mark Gasnier and Josh Morris, the Dragons are also believed to be ready to make a play for Hunt. And the Panthers could also join the race should Rhys Wesser accept an offer to join Souths in the spring.
Hunt has indicated his first preference would be to remain with the Broncos, but said he would consider any offers.
Complicating the issue for Brisbane, which will need to offer Hunt a significant contract upgrade, is the fact captain Darren Lockyer also comes off-contract at the end of 2009.
Assistant coach Ivan Henjak, who takes over as head coach next season, said he was desperate to retain the star duo.
"They are together next year and we will worry about 2010 then," Henjak said.
"The club will talk to both managers when the time is right and hopefully they can work something out. I am certainly hopeful they will both be able to stay with us."
Of more immediate concern to Henjak was tonight's derby with the injury-ravaged North Queensland Cowboys.
Coming off a surprise loss to the second-last placed Bulldogs last week, Henjak said there would be no excuse for any complacency from the Broncos.
"It's not dissimilar to last week against the Bulldogs when we were expected to win and we came up short," Henjak said.
"We've certainly talked about the ambush. And it's not going to be an ambush because we know it's coming."
Veteran lock Tonie Carroll was ruled out yesterday with an ankle injury. Ashton Sims moves into the starting line-up. David Stagg has also dropped back to the bench from the centres in favour of Joel Moon.
"There's no pressure on them. They're not expected to win," Henjak said. "They've lost 10 in a row and this is a game where they can redeem themselves.
Cowboys coach Ian Millward called on star off-season signing Travis Burns to start repaying the debt he owes the club after a season which has been riddled with injury and suspension.
"Travis will play there and he probably owes the club something," Millward said.
"He owes us a couple. He probably owes the club eight good games to end the year.
"I'm pretty confident (Burns) understands what we want from him and he's pretty excited about the challenge."
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...012431,00.html
