Rugby League: Little master back at last

By PETER JESSUP

Halfback Stacey Jones has convinced the Warriors' team management that he is fit medically, and they have convinced him he is fit mentally, and the little general is set to lift his team against Sydney City this weekend.

It was the best news the disabled team could have had yesterday, with Jones put through the toughest contact training he has had since he broke his left arm and dislocated the shoulder in a test against Tonga in November.

He still has two titanium rods in the arm and they can stay there all season or beyond provided there is no pain. He has not needed to return to the orthopaedic specialist because he has not had any pain and everyone hopes that will continue.

Jones will wear a special foam and velcro pad to protect the left arm. But coach Mark Graham did not take the option of keeping back-up half Ben Lythe on the bench, so obviously has confidence in the star to make a good return.

He will be expected to play most, if not all, the 80 minutes, as his conditioning is not a worry.

It will be the confidence and co-ordination he can bring that will determine the outcome of Sunday's must-win match for the Warriors.

Former skipper Matthew Ridge logged lack of confidence as the team's main problem yesterday after spending his second day at training to assist where he can.

Ridge has been helping the back three with their positional work as they seek to improve the catch-and-return rate under the high ball.

Fullback Cliff Beverley had asked for his advice a couple of times and he had given it gladly, Ridge said.

"Anything to help - they've certainly got their backs to the wall."

Ridge said there were obviously a number of factors contributing to the bad start to the season, but lack of confidence individually and as a team seemed to be the big one.

"Once a couple of senior guys get down on their confidence it spreads, doubt runs through the side," he said. "All they need is to put together one good win."

Former Sydney City coach Phil Gould said yesterday that he believed Auckland's problem went back to day one, in 1995, in that the club failed to put together and hold together a good development programme.

"It's hard to go out and buy quality players," he said. "They are paying a premium to get Aussies and expats back over there and it will never work.

"Unless you have a line of young players coming through, keeping pressure on the top side and giving you depth, you'll struggle."

Last week's debut player, Shontayne Hape, keeps his place after a solid start in a losing team. His right side of the field hardly worked at all against the Dragons and Jones is sure to change that.

They will start the same centres for the first time this season. Joe Vagana comes back off the bench, and Ali Lauiti'iti is also elevated for his attacking ability.

Robert Mears was cleared of a broken bone in a hand, the injury being diagnosed as ligament damage, and will play.

Henry Fafaili will make his debut. The 19-year-old winger is a real speedster and rated by Graham as an athlete who needs some league training.

The Queensland Rugby League yesterday de-registered wing Lee Oudenryn, apparently miffed that he had played one week for Warriors feeder Brisbane Souths then a fortnight later turned out for Sydney feeder Newtown Jets, so further deregistrations could be expected to follow.

Warriors: Cliff Beverley, Shontayne Hape, David Myles, Nigel Vagana, Lee Oudenryn, John Simon (c), Stacey Jones, Joe Vagana, Robert Mears, Terry Hermansson, Logan Swann, Ali Lauiti'iti, Jason Death; interchange Henry Fafaili, Monty Betham, Tony Tuimavave, Jerry Seuseu.

Roosters: Luke Phillips, Jack Elsegood, Shannon Hegarty, Matt Sing, Anthony Minichiello, Brad Fittler, Adrian Lam, Ian Rubin, Simon Bonetti, Nelson Lomi, Bryan Fletcher, Craig Fitzgibbon, Luke Ricketson; interchange Shane Rigon, David Solomona, Craig Wing, Dallas Hood.