Courtesy of the the Daily Mercury
AFTER feeling the weight of the selection axe following the Cowboys’ capitulation to Newcastle, it is hoped Antonio Kaufusi can rediscover some damaging form for the Mackay Cutters.
North Queensland sent the 190cm, 114kg heavyweight back to the state league side after the Cowboys were belted 36-18. Cutters coach Paul Bramley is intent on getting the most out of the big man at the Mackay Junior Rugby League Grounds on Saturday.
“We’ll be looking to play them (Wynnum-Manly) down the middle and we’ll be relying on him to go forward for us,” Bramley said ahead of a belated first home game of the season.
Since linking with the Cowboys last year, Kaufusi has struggled to show the skills that won him selection for Queensland, Tonga and Australia from 2006-2008.
He will be part of a physical Mackay pack that includes Leeson Ah Mau, Darren Griffiths, Liam McDonald and Jardine Bobongie.
And with the likes of Griffiths, Mitchell Achurch and Tyson Martin running out wide Bramley said his team had size across the park.
Michael Meigan is named to make his debut for the club after a call-up last week was thwarted when he was forced to make way for demoted Cowboy Grant Rovelli.
It didn’t seem to bother the five-eighth, who was man of the match for Wests against Sarina in the local competition.
Mackay product Rovelli was initially named in the Cowboys squad for last weekend’s clash against Newcastle but was replaced by Ashley Graham at pivot, forcing the 26-year-old to continue pressing his claims for a return to the NRL with Mackay in the state league.
He has been named for the Cowboys for this weekend’s clash against the Eels and Bramley said he was worthy of the call-up.
“He definitely deserves it,” Bramley said.
“They (Cowboys) wanted more consistency from Grant, not just one good game. I think he’s done that with us.
“He set up a try in the first half against the Pride on the weekend, scored one of his own and set up Grant Moore for what we thought was a try in the second half.”
Moore retains his place in the side after his solid showing. Jerome Iakimo, who is battling an elbow injury, was not named.
After four losses from five games in the Intrust Super Cup, Mackay will face a stern test against the undefeated Seagulls but will have home ground advantage for the first time in 2010, after two previous fixtures were rescheduled due to the effects of Cyclone Ului.
And after speaking again to referees director Eddie Ward about officiating in previous games, Bramley is hoping for some consistency this weekend.
CUTTERS: J Hunt, O Geia, D Malone, T Martin, C Giumelli, M Meigan, T Seymour, M Meigan, T Seymour, L McDonald, N Budworth, A Kaufusi, D Griffths, J Bobongie, L Ah Mau. Interchange: S Muspratt, M Achurch, L Fatnowna, G Moore.
GAME DAY
The Cutters will take on the Seagulls at the Junior Rugby League Grounds in South Mackay from 6.30pm Saturday.
© Mackay Cutters 2010. All rights reserved.
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