‘Paid us back’: Stuart makes calls ahead of Titans game
Sebastian Tan |
Canberra coach Ricky Stuart says he’s had to throw a team together for their encounter against Gold Coast, with fullback Kaeo Weekes a chance to suit up at five-eighth.
The Raiders face the Titans on Saturday afternoon and are hoping to ignite their NRL season, having won just three of their opening eight games.
But Stuart’s opportunity to pick up two much-needed points suffered a blow when five-eighth Ethan Strange didn’t get through training on Thursday because of an ankle injury.
It has heaped further pressure on the side’s depth, with Noah Martin (ankle), Zac Hosking (concussion), Josh Papali’i (calf), Hudson Young (suspension) and Xavier Savage (ankle) also out for the clash in Robina.
Stuart fronted the media on Friday and was peppered on who would replace Strange in the halves, as the 21-year-old has been a shining light for the Raiders.
“He (Weekes) has played in the halves. Daine (Laurie) has played in the halves. We’ll have another session today. ‘K’ (Weekes) did a good job there yesterday,” Stuart said.
“He (Weekes) has played there before. He has very elite skill and speed.”
Weekes last played in the No.6 jersey in 2024, and has yet to move back after taking up permanent residence at fullback.
Having played in the halves for Wests before shifting predominantly to fullback at Penrith, Laurie looms as an option after making his Raiders debut last Thursday.
“You just have to control what you can, and that’s what we’re doing,” Stuart said.
“We’ll throw a team out there, and I know they’ll give everything.
“We were very lucky last year with the minimal injuries, but it’s certainly paid us back in that last fortnight.”
Stuart said Strange lacked fluency and didn’t look at his best at Thursday’s training.
“I said ‘mate, it makes it too hard if you are there for 10 to 15 minutes into a game and find you’re not confident with your ankle’,” Stuart said.
“It just disrupts the balance of your interchange.”
The coach remains cautious with centre Simi Sasagi, who completed training but is coming off a hamstring niggle.
Stuart said he would not rush back Martin, who is to undergo a syndesmosis operation.
Fresh off a bye, the Titans welcome back centre AJ Brimson (personal) and lock Chris Randall (calf) as they look to end the Raiders’ eight-year winning streak against them on the Gold Coast.
AAP