Rugby League: Old master Lyons trying to turn Hayden into his image

By Peter Jessup

Manly have been searching for a new Cliff Lyons for the past few years - and this week Lyons was trying to turn new boy Adam Hayden into a rebuilt version of himself.

Since 37-year-old Lyons retired at the end of last season the Sea Eagles have struggled. Craig Field has not lived up to the reputation he brought from Souths, finding it hard to fit into the more structured game at Brookvale and to achieve a combination with Geoff Toovey.

Remodelled wing Luke Phillips was tried in Lyons' old spot at standoff but when he was put out for two months with a serious ankle injury coach Bob Fulton went back to Field.

Now he has moved Toovey to hooker to try Field and Hayden in the halves and punished Jim Serdaris for poor form by shunting him to the bench.
Hayden will come up with plenty of confidence after scoring three tries in reserve grade last weekend.

The club this week hauled Lyons off his under-17s and coaching development role to concentrate on preparing the 22-year-old for his assignment against the Auckland Warriors tomorrow.

At Ericsson Stadium this week there was confidence that Glenora standoff Cliff Beverley can match and even better Hayden, talk that he is one of those gifted players who appear to have time on their hands when the ball is in them, the type who makes space for himself.

Team training has focused on Beverley's kicking game and his running of the backline. He may look slight - the club has been working on building his size and strength - but he carries a big reputation for gutsy tackles.

Fulton's other fixes for a side on the back of two big defeats do not offer the Warriors any chinks to attack. Centre Graham Mackay goes to the second row but, at 115kg, is bigger than most forwards anyway and has played there for Penrith and Sydney City. Toovey was a State of Origin hooker.

Warriors skipper Matthew Ridge and wing Lee Oudenryn have recovered from a corked thigh and ankle strain, respectively, though Gene Ngamu was to travel with them in case of trouble flaring again for either. The team fly to Sydney today.

Kickoff is 4.30 pm tomorrow, and Manly are expecting a crowd boosted by expat Kiwi ex-supporters.

Manly Sea Eagles: Andrew King, Andrew Frew, Albert Torrens, Terry Hill, Brendon Reeves, Adam Hayden, Craig Field, Nik Kosef, Daniel Gartner, Graham Mackay, Neil Tierney, Geoff Toovey (captain), Owen Cunningham. Reserves: Jim Serdaris, Adam Peters, Wes Doyle, John Hopoate.

Auckland Warriors: Matthew Ridge (captain), Odell Manuel, Joe Galuvao, Nigel Vagana, Lee Oudenryn, Cliff Beverley, Stacey Jones, Logan Swann, Ali Lauitiiti, Tony Tuimavave, Terry Hermansson, Jason Death, Brady Malam. Reserves: Tony Tatupu, Joe Vagana, Bryan Henare, Shane Endacott.