Raiders share injury update, star Bronco in for final
Jacob Shteyman and Jasper Bruce |
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has cast doubt on inspirational forward Josh Papalii’s chances of playing in the Raiders’ qualifying final against a Brisbane side boosted by positive injury news around a star of their own.
Papalii has been racing against the clock to overcome an ankle injury ahead of Sunday’s sold-out clash in the nation’s capital.
Although the veteran prop trained for 10-15 minutes on Friday and has been included in Canberra’s matchday squad, Stuart said he still needed to show improvement.
“He trained yesterday. He’s going to need to train better today, though, to play,” he said on Saturday.
“And I’m hoping he does, but he’s going well.”
English-born second-rower Matty Nicholson will come into the squad if Papalii drops out, Stuart confirmed.
The 33-year-old, who inked a one-year extension with the Raiders on Friday, has rekindled some of his best form this season, earning a State of Origin re-call and a starting spot in Stuart’s minor premiership-winning side.
But Papalii was an asset off the field as well, Stuart said.
“Having that type of experience and knowledge around them … he creates confidence in other players,” Stuart added.
“(But) there’s no use in risking him or playing him where he’s going to be a liability. And Josh wouldn’t play if he thought that … he’s going to be a liability.”
The Broncos expect superstar fullback Reece Walsh would overcome a calf injury suffered at training this week, with Michael Maguire confirming the man-of-the-moment’s inclusion on Saturday.
“He’s fine, trained today, got through everything. We look forward to him playing. He’s done really well,” the coach said.
Former Raiders assistant coach Maguire said Brisbane needed to prepare as though Canberra’s spiritual leader Papalii would line up on Sunday.
“You get to this time of year and everyone plays,” he said.
“We’ll prepare as though he’s playing but we’ve got to make sure that we play and do the things that we’ve been practising. That’s the key now.”
Young Canberra hooker Owen Pattie is relishing the chance to play against Brisbane’s stars.
The Monto product, who has been a revelation as an impact player off the bench for the Raiders this season, grew up dreaming of playing for the Broncos alongside his idol Ben Hunt.
But Pattie could be called upon to nullify the Brisbane playmaker’s attacking prowess late in the game.
“You line up in the team on gameday, and you see across the other side, and it’s someone that you grew up watching. It’s a very surreal moment,” he told AAP.
“But, you know, our only goal is to beat the Broncs this weekend. So of course, I want to get one up on the Broncos.”
AAP
