ROCHDALE – Mal Meninga was out of action for several days this week with a severe bout of vertigo, but he hasn’t been the only one to struggle with sickness in the camp on the eve of their quarter final meeting with Lebanon.
The coach revealed that Nathan Cleary and other squad members have had viruses, colds and gastric problems in recent days, with a bug sweeping through the team hotel.
“We have a few guys who are a little bit crook at the moment with a virus and a bit of gastro,” said Mal. “Most teams have had to endure that.”
James Tedesco also has a slight knee problem, but is expected to play. Only Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who suffered a leg cork against Italy, is out of the clash in Huddersfield on Friday night (Saturday morning AEDT).
Mal was meeting the media at Salford Red Devils’ AJ Bell Stadium, where they have been training since they arrived in the UK – but it might be the last time he appears there.
Salford are set to return to preseason training next week and, with only one pitch available, a solution is yet to be found that could accommodate both of them.
Australia are based in central Manchester and were initially slated to train at the Etihad Campus, next to Manchester City’s football stadium, but requested a change of venue after being unsatisfied with the pitch.
They have also complained about the surface at St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium, where they played against Italy last weekend.
(Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
The Wheelaroos went down 38-8 to England in their Wheelchair World Cup opener at the Copper Box Arena in London, with Queensland coach, Jack Brown, starring as a player for England.
Brown has lead Queensland to two consecutive Wheelchair Origin wins as a coach, but is originally from Yorkshire and returned to play for England in the World Cup. He scored twice and was named man of the match as the hosts overcame a slow start – Australia opened the scoring through Diab Karim – to run out comfortable winners in the end.
The real story, however, went well beyond the pitch. With the game televised live on BBC, ‘wheelchair rugby league’ began trending on Twitter and ended with the game outranking simultaneous fixtures for Manchester United and Arsenal on social media.
Newcastle winger Dom Young has been one of the stars of the tournament so far, and will be rewarded with a start against PNG in Wigan this weekend – with England benching their record-ever try scorer in the process.
Young will take the starting berth on the wing ahead of Ryan Hall, who may be left stranded on 39 tries. Young himself has managed eight in just three games, making him the current top try scorer at the World Cup.
The Newcastle man has fast become a fan favourite, with most casual fans unaware of the winger as his Super League career was limited before moving to Australia to join the Knights.
This tournament is the first time that he has played on home soil in several years, but his eye-catching style and prolific try-scoring has made him a sensation in the English media.
Victor Radley has also been named, shaking off an arm injury to face off against the Kumuls. He is joined in the backrow by Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead – who had been rested last week against Greece – with Luke Thompson dropping out of the side.
What to look out for in this weekend's round of international footy.
Brad Fittler claims widening State of Origin eligibility rules to include Australian-raised New Zealand and England players will benefit both the domestic and international game.
If you followed the recent Rugby League World Cup, you’ll probably have noted that the tournament has both passionate supporters and vocal detractors.
Since the Super League War, Rugby League has failed to cement an international calendar. The historical tours disappeared – in part due to the war but also since the English game transferred to a summer season.
All the latest from the Rugby League World Cup.
With many spruiking that the pinnacle of our beloved sport is State of Origin, surely it’s time to make yet another amendment to the playbook and finally let New Zealand and English players in on the fun?
