League: Brush with the law shock for Dragons

While the Warriors may have been distracted by the arrest of their in-form hooker Lance Hohaia, the Dragons will be more shaken by the news yesterday that their bench second-rower had handed himself in to police after a nightclub incident.

Willie Manu, who was born in Sydney but has family in New Zealand, presented himself to the Wollongong police yesterday, accompanied by a lawyer, after an altercation on May 15 that left a local man in a serious condition.

He was detained by police at the time of the incident, then released without charge, after explaining that he had become involved to assist a family member and had not taken part in any assault.

The 49-year-old victim suffered head injuries in the beating, which took place in the early hours of the morning after the Dragons had beaten Penrith.

The Dragons yesterday stood the 25-year-old down from tonight's game against the Warriors in Wollongong and instructed him to appear with his representatives before the full board of the Dragons next week to explain the incident.

"The club expects our players to represent the Dragons in a professional manner both on and off the field," chief executive Peter Doust said.

"We have made our position clear in the past about where we stand in relation to acceptable standards of community behaviour.

"Obviously, this situation is of concern to the club and Willie will need to explain the circumstances to us next week before any further action may be indicated."

Doust said the club understood Manu would "vigorously defend" the charge. His replacement was not named but is likely to be Ashton Sims.

The Warriors were to run at the University of Wollongong late yesterday, with Monty Betham stepping into Hohaia's role at hooker and the injured Steve Price's role as captain after six weeks on the sideline.

The speed of Betham's delivery is critical if the big Warriors forwards are to achieve parity with a pack that boasts two international props.

And discipline will be a must, with the Dragons also able to capitalise on any penalties conceded. With Price gone for the season, level-headedness is required from the suspension-prone Betham and Ruben Wiki.

The Warriors have not won in Wollongong since 1996. The Dragons win most of their games at the seaside stadium and have to be favourites to do that again tonight, considering the number of State of Origin players they field.

It won't help that props Jason Ryles and Luke Bailey and centre Mark Gasnier were told by Blues coach Ricky Stuart mid-week that they were on notice to perform well for their clubs if they want to retain their New South Wales jerseys.

Stuart initially asked the NSW selectors to retain the 17 beaten 24-20 in overtime, but on reviewing the tape decided some players weren't hungry enough, and after watching last weekend's round of the NRL was disappointed some players had not gone well for their clubs.

He had told the NSW players they had to be loyal to their club coaches and team-mates and to play well for their clubs between Origin games. Some had played well, others hadn't.

Stuart said he had since put four players, who would remain unnamed, on standby for Origin Two and would make changes if there was no improvement this weekend.

The Dragons players have taken that to heart and can be expected to respond after their 24-16 loss to Melbourne last weekend broke a five-game winning streak.

They have halfback Matt Head back after four weeks off with an ankle injury and Corey Payne returns after a wrist problem to complete what is their strongest side.

* Wollongong Stadium, 9.30 tonight

Warriors
Brent Webb
Francis Meli
Clinton Toopi
Jerome Ropati
Todd Byrne
Nathan Fien
Stacey Jones
Ruben Wiki
Monty Betham (c)
Richard Villasanti
Louis Anderson
Wairangi Koopu
Sione Faumuina
Reserves: Iafeta Paleaaesina, Karl Temata, Manu Vatuvei, Awen Guttenbeil, Evarn Tuimavave 18th man.

Dragons
Ben Hornby
Colin Best
Mark Gasnier
Matt Cooper
Wes Naiqama
Trent Barrett (c)
Matt Head
Luke Bailey
Dean Young
Jason Ryles
Ben Creagh
Lance Thompson
Shaun Timmins
Reserves: Justin Poore, Corey Payne, Michael Ennis, Ashton Sims.

* The Bulldogs look likely to move to Stadium Australia, abandoning Belmore Oval after 70 years.

* 2002 Kiwi Andrew Lomu, who is at the Sharks, has signed a two-year deal with Canberra. Wests Tigers have extended the contract of 2005 Kiwis 18th man Bronson Harrison by two years to the end of 2007.