Rugby League: Forward keen despite injuries

By PETER JESSUP

Awen Guttenbeil's toughness can be measured by the fact he wants to front up against the Penrith Panthers on Sunday.

This, despite the back-wrenching he suffered in the first tackle against the Bulldogs last weekend, and despite the fact he has yet to be given a medical clearance.

Guttenbeil had a horror injury run before this season. Some of it may have been due to his capacity to take pain and punishment, from coming back too early from injury, and from playing on when injured.

"He can really take some punishment and maybe that is why he has had some of the problems in the past," Warriors medic Dr Chris Hanna said. "He always remains positive, too, about his ability to come back."

Hanna wants Guttenbeil to have a second MRI scan before clearing him. The second-rower suffered strain to a number of joints in the lower thoracic area, but those are supported by rib muscle.

Of more concern is a neck-joint strain and Hanna cautiously declared Guttenbeil a 60-40 chance.

Fullback Ivan Cleary is also named in the side to play the NRL's bottom-placed side in Sydney.

Cleary had a similar back injury, without the neck complications, which he suffered against Newcastle a fortnight ago and aggravated at the weekend. He, too, will need another clear MRI scan.

The Warriors line-up remains otherwise unchanged.

Penrith have elevated sometime Kiwi second-rower Tony Puletua from reserve grade.

They welcome back from injury Kangaroo centre, goalkicker and intercept specialist Ryan Girdler and wing Luke Rooney.

The Panthers have re-signed 19 of their squad of 26.

Puletua has a year to go on his contract, but older brother Frank was not made an offer and is rumoured to be taking his propping skills to South Sydney.

The Panthers have offered Broncos rake Luke Priddis a deal and expect to hear back today.

That should be the end of their big signings after snaring Martin Lang from the Sharks and Ben Roarty from Melbourne.

"There is no doubt that in rugby union the top players are now getting well rewarded and we don't want league players to be lagging behind."

New Zealand Warriors: Ivan Cleary, Henry Fa'afili, Wairangi Koopu, Clinton Toopi, Francis Meli, Motu Tony, Stacey Jones (co-capt), Jerry SeuSeu, Monty Betham, Ali Lauiti'iti, Awen Guttenbeil, Logan Swann, Kevin Campion (co-capt). Interchange: Justin Murphy, Mark Tookey, Nat Wood, Richard Villasanti. 18th man, David Myles.

Penrith Panthers: Shane Elford, Luke Rooney, Ryan Girdler, David Woods, Chris Hicks, Steve Carter (capt), Ben Reynolds, Craig Greenhill, Craig Gower, Jody Gall, Tony Puletua, Matt Adamson, Scott Sattler: Interchange: Frank Puletua, Robbie Beckett, John Cross, Sid Domic.