THE Cronulla Sharks would have fielded one of their strongest NRL squads in years, except injuries seem certain to prevent Todd Carney and Bryce Gibbs playing in round one of the 2013 NRL season.
Carney, the club’s chief playmaker and NSW Origin rep, was told last week to aim for round three, and not the season opener, as the club takes a conservative approach to his rehab after he tore his Achilles tendon in last season’s qualifying final against Canberra, which the Raiders went on to win.
‘‘Todd was disappointed, but he knows it is a long season and it is better to be properly fit after that type of operation,’’ said Sharks head physiotherapist, Konrad Schultz.
‘‘We’ll monitor his progress, but at this stage round two or three is his more likely return to the game.’’
A recent accident crippled prop Bryce Gibbs and his chances of playing any trial game, and threatened his start to the season proper.
Gibbs stepped back and trod on a glass at a barbecue at his Bundeena home; the accident badly cut his own Achilles, too.
The funnyman of the NRL front rower’s union, Gibbs was already undertaking a slow recovery from off-season shoulder surgery and could hardly see the funny side of limping around with a damaged foot sporting plenty of stitches.
He will definitely miss the Sharks’ first trial game against Manly on February 8 and may have to join Carney on the sidelines when the season proper begins on March 10, the Sharks hosting Gold Coast Titans at Shark Park.
After a strong off-season under head coach Shane Flanagan and new club strength and conditioner, David Boyle, and with the help of Sharks physiotherapist Konrad Schultz, the Leader can provide a rundown of the 30 squad players who were training towards the trials against the Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval on February 8, and Newcastle Knights at Skully Park, Tamworth, on February 23.
■Captain Paul Gallen (elbow operation/cut arm): has showed no ill-effects from the elbow surgery in December since resuming training. Recovered from an infection to a cut arm which required antibiotics in hospital last week — a precaution ahead of his All Stars game.
■Bryce Gibbs: (shoulder op/cut leg) Gradually regaining strength in his shoulder but a deep cut to his Achilles from his recent accident has set him back. Limping, he may be right for trial two but more likely won’t return until the season proper.
■Luke Lewis: like fellow international Gallen, the Sharks’ ‘gun’ signing from the Panthers is inspiring his younger team-mates after fully recovering from thyroid cancer last year.
■Ben Ross: the veteran prop had to recover from a broken hand late last season, and then had his foot trodden on during pre-season training. Now back keener than ever.
■ Anthony Tupou: the unlucky Tupou is reportedly very fit, having escaped one of the few pre-seasons without injury or serious operations.
■Sam Tagataese: leading the way in boxing training.
■Chris Heighington: the experienced new buy and backrower is leading the way in explosive, short sprints.
■Andrew Fifita: bigger and faster and ready for the All Stars game. David Boyle says he will play fully fit at around 120 kilograms this season.
■Wade Graham: the young back-rower has potential State of Origin written all over him.
■Jayson Bukuya, Isaac De Gois, John Morris, Jon Green and Mark Taufua are all training well. Youngsters Rodney Coates and Tyrone Peachey and ex-Bulldogs backrower Tupou Sopoaga should also get their first taste of NRL through the trials.
■Todd Carney (achilles operation): while his training stepped up slightly through more running and passing drills, the Origin five-eighth and one of the best trainers was disappointed when told last week he won’t be fit to play the season opener. He will be brought along more conservatively, and aimed at returning by round three.
■Nathan Gardner (knee reconstruction): Has had a bit of ankle soreness. Series of passing drills with Carney, and more advanced. Could play trial two, but more likely season proper.
■Michael Gordon (broken fibula): Still getting over some ankle stiffness but the Origin rep is going better than when he returned for the final games for Penrith last season.
■Ben Pomeroy (groin surgery): Building his training load gradually and recovered from dizziness after boxing big Sam Tagataese (he took it out on young Rod Coates). Probably right for trial two.
■Stewart Mills (knee): Had an off-season knee clean-out but is back to full fitness.
■Jonathan Wright: the giant wing recruit from the Bulldogs is impressing after getting first shot at centre through the trials.
■Beau Ryan: Beau knows he’s going to keep copping plenty from his new team-mates, especially old Tigers team-mate Bryce Gibbs, but the new wing buy, new dad and Footy Show funnyman says: ‘‘I can’t be happier.’’
■Alipate Ratini (hamstring): the Fijian Sevens rugby recruit is almost fit, and very fast. Could play later.
■Jeff Robson, Nathan Stapleton, Matt Wright, Chad Townsend and Ricky Leutele are raring to go.
See Thursday's Leader for a look at the Dragons.
With Todd Carney out of round one, who would you like to see play in the halves for Cronulla? Tell us below.
