SEA Eagles birthday boy Des Hasler on Tuesday confirmed he is yet to appoint a captain for the 2010 NRL season and his choice of halfbacks is down to three.
There was nothing new at Manly headquarters at the Sydney Academy of Sport with Hasler, now 49, again at his covert best.
The coach was continually prodded about who will take over Matt Orford’s No.7 jumper and who will captain the club in 2010. Hasler did confirm the race for Orford’s jumper was down to Trent Hodkinson, Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans.
“It’s a process and we’ll keep working through it,†Hasler said.
“All three halves are a shot. We’ve got some depth there. It’s a real opportunity and they’ve got to step up to the mark.â€Â
What does appear certain is experienced back Jamie Lyon will probably partner either Foran or Hodkinson in the halves.
But Hasler did suggest the untried pairing of Foran and Hodkinson could also pan-out.
“It’s still open,†the coach said.
The captaincy is also an open race, with Lyon the likely man to be handed the job on Thursday, but that’s only to deal with referees on the paddock. Prop Jason King is tipped to gain the off-field duties.
Hasler said he’s still interviewing candidates, with no-one entirely clear on which direction the ex-NSW half will take.
“We’re still working through it, it’s a process,†Hasler said of the captaincy debate.
“We’re slowly getting through the interviews.â€Â
Jason Avedissian Manly Daily
