Rugby League: Focus kept on in-form players for Sydney

By PETER JESSUP

Warriors coach Mark Graham offered some stability at the troubled club yesterday, keeping his word to stick with players putting the effort in as he chose a squad for a two-game trip to Sydney.

Half Ben Lythe is retained, as is his former Glenora team-mate Cliff Beverley, with Graham rating their all-round games against Newcastle as better than the single errors that marred them.

Out, though, is wing Odell Manuel, paying the penalty for indecision under the high ball that may have robbed Beverley of some confidence and certainly resulted in dreadful goal-line mix-ups between the fullback, centres and Manuel. He is replaced by Lee Oudenryn.

Retained on the interchange bench is youngster Paul Whatuira, who made his debut last week with Lythe. Mark Tookey moves from the bench to start, replacing an injured Jerry Seuseu.

Also unavailable was Jason Death, recovering from concussion. Talite Liavaa comes back after two solid games for Brisbane Souths, and the team are otherwise unchanged from those who drew with the Knights.

Second-rower Logan Swann yesterday entered a reluctant guilty plea to a careless high tackle charge following the Newcastle game, receiving a 93-point demerit that leaves him available to play the Canberra Raiders at Bruce Stadium next Monday night. Each 100 points carries a one-match ban.

Swann has not had a sinbin offence or judiciary appearance in four years in the premiership and appeared to be victim of touch judge overreaction and pressure from Knights coach Warren Ryan.

The Warriors will travel to Canberra on Saturday, basing themselves at Bondi after the game as they prepare to play Penrith the following Saturday.

The Warriors yesterday finalised their arrangement with Sydney's Metro Cup side Newtown Jets and will send five players there each weekend. To go this week are wing Manuel and fellow backs Clinton Toopi and David Myles and forwards Terry Hermansson and Wairangi Koopu.

Five more will continue to go to Brisbane Souths. This week's travellers are backs Francis Meli, Jonathon Smith and Henry Fafaili and forwards Henry Perenara and Vae Kololo, the latter subject to recovery from a virus.

* Canberra prop Ruben Wiki has been banned for one game after pleading guilty to a grade-two careless high tackle on Wests Tigers Darren Senter.

However, Wiki has a broken arm and will be sidelined for several weeks anyway. Brisbane prop Petero Civoniceva faced the same charge after a tackle on Sharks forward Martin Lang, but his clean record meant he incurred a points penalty only and no ban.

Warriors: Cliff Beverley, Lee Oudenryn, Ivan Cleary, Scott Pethybridge,Nigel Vagana, John Simon (c), Ben Lythe, Joe Vagana, Robert Mears, Mark Tookey, Logan Swann, Matt Spence, Scott Coxon; interchange Paul Whatuira, Tony Tuimavave, Ali Lauiti'iti, Talite Liavaa, reserve Shontayne Hape.