NRL: Lillyman injury mars Warriors preseason win

Elijah Taylor of the Warriors in action. Photo / Getty Images

An injury to frontline prop Jacob Lillyman has tempered satisfaction about the Vodafone Warriors' 26-10 NRL trial win against Gold Coast at North Harbour today.
The State of Origin forward lasted only 10 minutes before going to the sideline with an arm injury.

Head coach Brian McClennan confirmed afterwards that the tough North Queenslander faced some time out of action.

"Unfortunately it doesn't look good for Bull (Lillyman)," he said.
"He's going to be missing some games."

McClennan said more details about the extent of the injury would be confirmed in the next day or two.

Facing the prospect of being without Lillyman for a period will leave Sam Rapira, Ben Matulino and Russell Packer carrying the workload with McClennan looking for another player to fill the fourth front rower's duties.

While news of Lillyman's injury was a blot on the day it didn't completely detract from a display that provided plenty of encouragement for first-year coach McClennan and the team.

In the first half the Vodafone Warriors were highly impressive much of the time with new hooker Nathan Friend fitting in well and declaring himself thrilled after coming through his first hit-out since the shoulder operation that ended his season early with the Titans in 2011.

He played the first 40 minutes only as did captain Simon Mannering and halfback Shaun Johnson. Johnson was outstanding with his involvement in each of the Vodafone Warriors' first three tries.

He threw a sweet long ball wide to the left for an unmarked Konrad Hurrell to score in his first NRL trial and he also provided a critical link in Lewis Brown's try.

But the gem was his own touchdown in the opening moments of the second quarter when he dummied through the line and burnt the cover with his pace.

When fullback Glem Fisiiahi went 80 metres after picking up a loose ball just a few minutes later, the Vodafone Warriors were in command at 20-6.

The tempo changed after halftime, though, when McClennan made numerous changes, giving a lot of the younger players some time on the field.

During that third quarter the Titans grabbed the only try but, with James Maloney back as an organiser in the last quarter, order was restored to a degree.

The result was put beyond doubt when another loose Gold Coast pass was seized on, this time by left winger Bill Tupou who had also had an 80-metre run for his try.

McClennan later said it was pleasing all 25 players had been given some time on the field and he was especially encouraged the younger squad members had been given a taste of the NRL environment.

Thriving in his 80-minute effort was Hurrell who was heavily involved throughout.

Hurrell relished the opportunity.

"I loved it out there. I was having so much fun," he said.

The Vodafone Warriors return to training next week to prepare for their trial against South Sydney in Coffs Harbour next Saturday night.

They travel to Australia next Friday.

Match details:

Vodafone Warriors 26 (Konrad Hurrell, Lewis Brown, Shaun Johnson, Glen Fisiiahi, Bill Tupou tries; James Maloney 3 conversions).
Gold Coast Titans 10 (Joe Vickery, Jamie Dowling tries; Jordan Rankin conversion).
Halftime: 20-6 Vodafone Warriors.