Wasn't aware the Ox was back with the Storm...

MM93

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Wasn't aware the Ox was back with the Storm...

Kimmorley's Origin hopes hit by injury

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 5:46 PM


Brett Kimmorley remains confident of playing State of Origin football this year, despite an ankle injury which will rule him out of game one in Sydney next month.

The Cronulla captain will be sidelined for four to six weeks after suffering the injury while scoring a second half try during his NRL team's 28-24 loss to the Sydney Roosters on Saturday.

It has ended his goal of winning back the Blues jersey he lost after game one last year when he threw an intercept pass which handed a golden point victory to Queensland.

Kimmorley was axed and Newcastle skipper Andrew Johns, on the comeback trail from a knee reconstruction, was rushed back into the team as NSW recovered to win the series 2-1.

The Sharks No.7 is not giving up hope of a recall to the Blues, even though the ligament damage to his left ankle has delivered a major blow to his representative aspirations in 2006.

"I should only be missing for the first (Origin) match so if I can come back and play well enough, there's no reason why I couldn't play in the last two games," Kimmorley said.

"But I just want to do the work and recover from this and get back on the field for the Sharks, then I'll worry about the other stuff."

The Blues halfback position is wide open following Johns' recent announcement the Anzac Test between Australia and New Zealand on May 5 in Brisbane would mark his representative swansong.

Penrith captain Craig Gower is the clear favourite to wear the No.7 jersey at Telstra Stadium on May 24 as the Blues attempt to win an unprecedented fourth straight series.

St George Illawarra's Trent Barrett and Melbourne playmaker Matt Orford are also in the frame and have plenty of time to impress NSW selectors and new coach Graham Murray.

The bad news for Kimmorley was confirmed following MRI scans, x-rays and a consultation with a specialist.

Sharks coach Stuart Raper has shifted five-eighth Adam Dykes to halfback and handed former Souths utility Brett Kearney the No.6 jersey for the Easter Sunday clash with premier Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium.

Kimmorley believed Cronulla possessed the attacking options to embark on a winning streak without him, claiming the team no longer relied solely on him as the dominant playmaker.

"We've got a few different structures in place this year where I haven't been as dominant and haven't tried to get the ball every play," Kimmorley pointed out.

"I've been sitting back a little and picking my moments."

Back-rower Paul Gallen (lower back) has been named on the bench for the encounter against the Tigers, who will be missing their own chief playmaker in Benji Marshall (dislocated shoulder).
Source: AAP
:clap: :clap: :clap:


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Great site... keep it up!
 
Wasn't aware the Ox was back with the Storm...

Thanks for that post.

Looks like AAP are up with the times......not
 

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