ManlyBacker
Winging it
Big changes for Manly
With his side hit by injury and suspension, Manly coach Des Hasler has been forced to make six positional changes to his side to meet Parramatta at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday.
Winger David Williams (collarbone) and fullback Brett Stewart (knee) are out for extended periods, while in-form prop George Rose faces at least a week on the sideline after being charged with a careless high tackle following the loss to the Tigers on Monday night.
Michael Robertson will switch from wing to fullback, centre Tony Williams moves to the wing with Chris Bailey replacing him in the centres.
Interchange forward Shane Rodney will start in the second-row with Joe Galuvao and Matt Cross winning spots on the bench.
Rose has been named on an extended bench in the unlikely hope he will have his careless high tackle charge downloaded – should the Sea Eagles decide to fight the case at the NRL judiciary.
"It’s been a fairly disruptive start for us but this team has overcome hurdles before," coach Des Hasler told Sportal.
"Parra are coming off a loss like us and will be extremely hard to beat, but we’ll be up for it."
Local Eels junior Brendan Oake gets first shot at replacing back-rower Shane Shackleton, ruled out for the season after suffering a horrific hamstring injury in the first round loss to the Dragons.
"It is a terrible and horrific injury for Shane…to be out for the season so early on is devastating. It does open the door for Brendan though," Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson said.
"It’s a great opportunity for him as he has not played first grade since round 11 last year so I’m looking forward to his contribution to the team."
sportal.com.au
With his side hit by injury and suspension, Manly coach Des Hasler has been forced to make six positional changes to his side to meet Parramatta at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday.
Winger David Williams (collarbone) and fullback Brett Stewart (knee) are out for extended periods, while in-form prop George Rose faces at least a week on the sideline after being charged with a careless high tackle following the loss to the Tigers on Monday night.
Michael Robertson will switch from wing to fullback, centre Tony Williams moves to the wing with Chris Bailey replacing him in the centres.
Interchange forward Shane Rodney will start in the second-row with Joe Galuvao and Matt Cross winning spots on the bench.
Rose has been named on an extended bench in the unlikely hope he will have his careless high tackle charge downloaded – should the Sea Eagles decide to fight the case at the NRL judiciary.
"It’s been a fairly disruptive start for us but this team has overcome hurdles before," coach Des Hasler told Sportal.
"Parra are coming off a loss like us and will be extremely hard to beat, but we’ll be up for it."
Local Eels junior Brendan Oake gets first shot at replacing back-rower Shane Shackleton, ruled out for the season after suffering a horrific hamstring injury in the first round loss to the Dragons.
"It is a terrible and horrific injury for Shane…to be out for the season so early on is devastating. It does open the door for Brendan though," Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson said.
"It’s a great opportunity for him as he has not played first grade since round 11 last year so I’m looking forward to his contribution to the team."
sportal.com.au