RUGBY UNION
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ORANGE City are set to gain a monumental boost in Saturday’s Blowes Clothing Cup clash with Dubbo Kangaroos with regular skipper Tatafu Na’aniumotu expected to return to the run-on side, although assistant coach Josh Maley admitted he remains in some doubt.
While Na’aniumotu’s troublesome shoulder was strong enough for him to come back against Orange Emus last weekend via the bench, Maley explained the barnstorming No.8 picked up a slight knee issue in the Lions’ 25-17 local derby loss.
As a result, Maley said he couldn’t officially name the former Tongan international, preferring to name an unchanged line-up for this weekend’s road trip to No.1 Oval.
“He looks like he will play, but he’s got a bit of a knee issue so he didn’t train on Tuesday. We can’t really name an official side because we’re waiting on a few other guys who picked up injuries too,” Maley said.
“We can’t really take a trick there at the moment. That’s rugby though, we’ll get through it. It’s probably better these things are happening now than at the business end of the season.”
Even the slight possibility of Na’aniumotu returning was enough to prick the ‘Roos ears up though, with stand-in skipper Shaun McHugh highlighting him as a player his side needs to remain wary of, regardless of the role he plays.
With so many niggles among their top squad the now fourth-placed Lions’ lead-in has been slightly disjointed, but Maley said his side has been preparing to face ‘Roos as they traditionally are - “strong up front and quick out the back”.
Filisione Pauta being away on NSW Country duty will help Orange City’s cause though.
“That does help us, he’s very handy out the back there,” Maley said.
“Dubbo have really turned [No.1 Oval] into a fortress over the last few years. They’ll be strong up front, especially with Benny Wright in the front-row.
“We know teams have identified our forwards as an area they’ll target, we’re expecting that again. It’s about our guys stepping up again and winning the battle, it’s another good challenge.”
Kick-off at No.1 Oval is 3.15pm
ORANGE CITY LIONS: 1 Darcy Garlick, 2 Jake Johnston, 3 Logan Brockmann, 4 Ben Wright, 5 Mitch Pearce, 6 Feleti Wolfgramm, 7 Duncan Young, 8 John Colgan, 9 Tom Nell, 10 Joe Lasagavibau, 11 Taylor Smith, 12 Sam Dwyer, 13 Jake Davis, 14 Cam Cole, 15 Keegan Harding; Interchange: 16 Tatafu Na’aniumotu