Pride hit by injuries
THE Northern Pride will play a waiting game before finalising the team to play Easts Tigers at Barlow Park on Saturday night.
Cowboys players Jackson Nicolau, David Faiumu and Ben Vaeau were named in the Pride's Queensland Cup side yesterday, but are battling conjunctivitis and may miss the clash.
Fullback Chey Bird had scans on a tear in his rotator cuff yesterday and is also in doubt.
But Pride coach Andrew Dunemann is confident his team can continue its barnstorming start to the season regardless of the disruptions.
"We just have to play it by ear because the side we've named could change drastically by the end of the week,’’ he said.
"But we've just got to get on with it and I'm sure the blokes who come in will do the job.’’
Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia has been named on the bench to make his debut after impressing Dunemann with his form for Kangaroos in the CDRL.
"He's been outstanding at training and I’ve got good reports back on how he went at the weekend for Roos.
"He can play all the positions.’’
The Pride staged a big fightback to beat Souths Logan 34-24 last Saturday.
Dunemann said his players were keen to avoid any let-down after the inspiring win.
"We're back home and in front of home fans and Easts are one of teams to beat in comp so it's a new challenge.
"We're taking on an in-form team so we have to step up to the challenge."
Northern Pride: 1. Chey Bird, 2. Gordon Rattler, 3. Jackson Nicolau, 4. Hezron Murgha, 5. Josh Vaughan, 6. Stephen Sheppard, 7. Chris Sheppard, 8. Ben Vaeau, 9. David Faiumu, 10. Ben Laity, 11. Scott Bolton, 12. Joel Reithmuller, 13. Mark Cantoni. Interchange: 14. Quincy To'oto'o-ulugia, 15. Warren Jensen, 16. Greg Byrnes, 17. Alex Starmer
Easts Tigers: 1. Wade Liddell, 2. Tangi Ropati, 3. Liam Capewell, 4. Matt Gruszka, 5. Kev Stephensen, 6. Isaac Kaufmann, 7. Jason Connors, 13. Scott Sipple, 12. Marcus Jensen, 11. Anthony Boyd, 10. Fred Tila, 9. Trent Young, 8. Charles Tonga. Interchange: 14. Josh Griffith, 15. Cameron Durnford, 16. Tom Macgougan, 17. Matt Lockyer.
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Here's the plan: Northern Pride coach Andrew Dunnemann outlines match strategies to his players during training yesterday for the clash against Easts on Saturday at Barlow Park.
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