- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Parramatta coach Daniel Anderson was left counting the cost of Saturday night’s bruising trial loss to Penrith after star duo Jarryd Hayne and Daniel Mortimer finished the game nursing injuries.
A Panthers side missing captain Petero Civoniceva and fellow internationals Michael Jennings, Luke Lewis, Trent Waterhouse upset the Eels 32-12 at CUA Stadium.
But the loss was overshadowed by injury clouds which now hang over Dally M medallist Hayne, Mortimer and Ben Smith.
Hayne aggravated a sternum complaint while Mortimer was left with a nasty head gash and Smith a suspected broken cheekbone.
“We’re a bit of a casualty ward from it, which is never good from a trial,” Anderson said.
“Ben Smith’s probably the worst. He’s done something to his cheekbone – we’ll know more once we get a CT scan.
“Daniel Mortimer’s got a massive zipper, he had at least a dozen stitches.
“Jarryd hurt his sternum in the All-Stars game and it just flared up a little bit.”
Anderson said Hayne would be fit for Saturday’s trial against the Sydney Roosters in Gosford, but was less confident of having Mortimer and Nathan Hindmarsh available – the latter still recovering from surgery to his left wrist.
Backrower Feleti Mateo is also expected to be back on deck, while dual international Timana Tahu will play his first game in the blue and gold since 2007 after missing Saturday night’s match through suspension.
Anderson said he was likely to send out another strong line-up for the clash with the Roosters, despite the heavy injury toll against the Panthers.
“A few blokes need to play, Hindy wants to, Timana is champing at the bit, he wants to play,” Anderson said.
“I’m pretty sure Jarryd will want to play next week.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we put out a strong team.
“You’re sort of damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
“If you dont, you can go in rusty into round one. If you do you face a lot of ice packs on blokes.”
Penrith managed to escape from the match relatively unscathed, with Travis Burns suffering a head knock and Frank Pritchard hurting his shoulder.
Panthers coach Matt Elliott said neither were serious concerns.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.