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Cayless Return Highlights Changes For Roosters Trial
Tuesday 26 February 2008
Pirtek Parramatta Eels captain Nathan Cayless will make his long-awaited return from injury in Saturday's NRL trial match against the Roosters at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium, Gosford.
Cayless is one of a number of changes made for the match with head coach Michael Hagan naming his strongest possible team.
Cayless, Luke Burt, Eric Grothe, and Fuifui Moimoi have all been named in the side after sitting out last Friday's opening trial against the Panthers in Albury.
Hagan said the skipper is back to full fitness after a pectoral muscle tear in late 2007 and will be an asset ahead of the start of the season proper.
"Nathan's worked very hard on his rehab and conditioning and now we're keen for him to test out the injury in a match situation," Hagan said.
"We expect he'll play as many minutes as he can manage this week so come round one he's good to go, and the same goes for Luke Burt after his knee injury.
"Having players back is a good position to be in given this is our final trial before the start of the season.
"The team is as close to full strength as possible, everyone who is fit will play.
"It also means the players will have to step up because we'll be looking to settle on our best 17 after this match."
Cayless said he's looking forward to getting back on the park.
"When you get an injury late in the season the off-season seems that much longer," Cayless said.
"It's been tough getting back to full fitness but now I'm there I can't wait to get into it.
"It's going to be a good test both personally and also from a team perspective, we all know the Roosters have recruited well in the off season and even though this is a trial I'm sure it'll be as close to NRL intensity as possible."
The match kicks off at 7pm and will follow a Toyota Cup trial between the Eels and Roosters, which starts at 5.30.
PARRAMATTA TEAMS FOR TRIALS V ROOSTERS
NRL V ROOSTERS
BLUETONGUE STADIUM
SAT 1 MARCH 2008
7PM
1 Luke BURT
2 Joel REDDY
3 Krisnan INU
4 Jarryd HAYNE
5 Eric GROTHE
6 Feleti MATEO
7 Brett FINCH
8 Nathan CAYLESS [c]
9 Mark RIDDELL
10 Fuifui MOIMOI
11 Weller HAURAKI
12 Todd LOWRIE
13 Brendan OAKE
14 Matt KEATING
15 Josh CORDOBA
16 Joe GALUVAO
17 Junior PAULO
18 Broderick WRIGHT
COACH - MICHAEL HAGAN
TOYOTA CUP V ROOSTERS
BLUETONGUE STADIUM
SAT 1 MARCH 2008
5:30PM
1 Domenic NASSO
2 Owen LAUOFO
3 Taputoa REA
4 Taulima TAUTAI
5 Shaun COX
6 Kris KEATING
7 Daniel MORTIMER
8 John MANNAH
9 Luke MOTTINELLI
10 Tim MANNAH
11 Tony WILLIAMS
12 Tim ROBINSON
13 David BAUMANN
14 Jesse O'NEILL
15 Ben McLENNAN
16 Taniela LASALO
17 Joe MATAELE
20 Mitchell ALLGOOD
COACH - MATT CAMERON
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