Johns Fit For Dog Fight

Newcastle Herald

Saturday March 10, 2007

BRETT KEEBLE RUGBY LEAGUE

SEASONED internationals Andrew Johns and Adam MacDougall have convinced coach Brian Smith they will be fit to play in Newcastle's opening NRL game against the Bulldogs at EnergyAustralia Stadium tomorrow week.

Johns (hamstring) and MacDougall (jaw) have not played in the pre-season trials, but they completed yesterday's final training session before the Knights enjoy this weekend off, and Smith was confident both would play.

Though he has returned to Newcastle from South Sydney to play in the centres, it is understood MacDougall will start the season on the wing to allow Smith to retain Brad Tighe alongside George Carmont in the centres.

That would mean Smith and his selection panel would have to decide between rookies James McManus and Akuila Uate to make their NRL debut on the other wing, and McManus is believed to have his nose in front.

Smith was giving little away last night, saying he would finalise his first squad as Newcastle coach next Monday and announce the team the following day, but he was relieved to report Johns and MacDougall had been cleared.

"I'm confident Andrew will be right to go, and Doogs has trained well this week, and he's ready for it," Smith said. "Andrew did the session today and did some speed work. He'll have the weekend off like the rest of the boys, and at this stage I anticipate we'll have everyone we expected available."

The only players definitely out are David Seage (knee) and Chris Bailey (shoulder), who are recovering from reconstructive surgery, and Danny Buderus (suspended).

After having to pull out on the morning of last Saturday's trial against Cronulla in his home town of Cessnock, Johns said finishing yesterday's session lifted a weight off his shoulders.

Continued Page 92

Joey, Doogs confirm fitness for opening dogfight

From page 92

Johns said he had not done ballwork with the team for about six weeks until yesterday and had been genuinely concerned he would miss the first game of what could be his last NRL season.

"To get that session behind me eases all the self-doubts. Now I can take it easy over the weekend knowing it will be OK, and I can prepare for the game as normal," Johns told NBN.

"I've done all the fitness, I've done all the rehab, I've done all the cardio, but I'll be a bit down on match fitness. But that's probably an issue for most players at this time of the year.

"It's just a great feeling to be back out there with the boys, throwing the ball around . . . and now I've got that session behind me, I'm a certain starter."

Smith had hoped to finalise his squad yesterday but still faces several selection headaches, particularly in the back row and the four bench positions.

Kurt Gidley looks certain to start at fullback because Milton Thaiday is still returning to full fitness after an injury-hampered pre-season.

His own good form, and an ankle injury to the more experienced Luke Quigley, means 19-year-old Terence Seu Seu is likely to make his NRL debut replacing Buderus at hooker.

AAP reports: Antonio Kaufusi was not going to let a fractured wrist stop his push for a starting spot in the Melbourne pack to face the Wests Tigers in the opening NRL round.

Kaufusi broke a bone in his wrist playing against Brisbane in Melbourne's last trial but stayed on the field, desperate to impress coach Craig Bellamy.

Last month the coach threatened to send the Test prop back to the Storm's feeder club after he returned from the off-season break more than six kilograms overweight.

Kaufusi quickly shed the extra bulk and, with the wrist not troubling him, confirmed he was ready for round one, saying: "I feel like I'm back on track."

© 2007 Newcastle Herald

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