Flanagan waits on returning Origin players
Jul 13, 2017 - 1:06 AM Cronulla's State of Origin quartet emerged physically unscathed from Wednesday's decider, but coach Shane Flanagan remains unsure if they will each face Gold Coast this weekend.The Sharks have the most players expected to back up this weekend, and there are question marks over the emotional post-Origin hangover for Blues players James Maloney, Andrew Fifita and Wade Graham.
Fifita's situation is particularly complicated, given he returned to Sydney early on Thursday morning for the expected birth of his third child.
He is tipped to train with the Sharks under-20s squad on Friday night, before flying up on the day of the game to try and line up against the Titans on Saturday night.
"He'll get some treatment today and tomorrow," Flanagan said.
"He's really excited about the birth of his baby.
"He will be fine. He's already spoken to me this morning and he is ready to go."
Flanagan said Fifita wasn't alone among the Origin representatives to claim they'd be right to go.
However the coach is weary of playing them all after they had their worst performance of the season against Manly in the immediate aftermath of Game II.
On that occasion his team was beaten 35-18, and Flanagan admitted he would be far more cautious heading into this Saturday's Gold Coast clash.
"In hindsight we probably should have rested one or two," Flanagan said on Wednesday.
"Jimmy (Maloney) has come out and said that he was affected after game two, so I'll have to have a really good look at that over the next 24 hours.
"I won't play them if they're not 100 per cent."
Meanwhile Flanagan said there were no concerns over Queensland winger Valentine Holmes, after he scored a hat-trick in the decider.
Flanagan has taken an extended squad of 21 to the Gold Coast for the clash, which could see them drop out of the top four if they lose.
Among them is James Segeyaro on return from a broken arm, who Flanagan said would most likely start at hooker if Maloney was ruled out with Fa'amanu Brown to play five-eighth.
Source: AAP
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Holmes to remain Sharks No.1: Flanagan Dec 5
- Brailey signs with NRL Sharks until 2020 Nov 26
- Moylan our five-eighth for now: Flanagan Nov 9
- Sharks blast Bennett over false Bird claim Nov 3
- Sharks not commenting on Pearce NRL talk Nov 1
- Gorman leaves Sharks, linked with Manly Oct 29
- Skipper Gallen earns Sharks award Sep 18
- Sharks' Maloney refuses to blame NRL refs Sep 12
- Ill-discipline costs Sharks' title defence Sep 10
- Cowboys end Sharks' NRL title defence Sep 10
- Flanagan's lists ref errors from NRL final Sep 10
- Paul Green piles more pressure on Sharks Sep 9