Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has praised the NSW Origin staff for their handling of Isaiya Katoa, following the young gun’s release from Blues camp. Katoa was drafted into Laurie Daley’s squad as cover for Mitch Moses, who was again restricted to running duties at Blues camp on Thursday, as he works his way back from a hamstring injury that ruled him out of Origin 1.
However, the Eels skipper was reportedly moving freely and didn’t appear to be hampered by the issue despite taking no part in full contact work with the rest of the NSW squad. Daley said he wanted Moses to be running at “full clip” by Thursday but didn’t expect the five-eighth to be involved in the whole session. And under the watchful eye of the Blues medical team, they were satisfied Moses had ticked enough boxes.
Blues five-eighth Mitch Moses (L) is on track to return from injury for Origin 2 after NSW squad member Isaiya Katoa (R) was released back to the Dolphins for Friday night’s NRL game. Pic: Getty
(Getty)
Casey McLean was also put on ice for a second straight day as Blues staff continue to manage his workload after the Penrith star suffered a minor ankle injury in last Sunday’s thumping of the Tigers. NSW officials insist McLean is in no doubt for Wednesday night’s Origin clash against the Maroons as they aim to wrap up the series at the MCG.
Blues release Isaiya Katoa ahead of Dolphins game
And the Blues are increasingly confident Moses will be good to go as well after giving Katoa the green light to return for the Dolphins ahead of Friday night’s clash with the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium. Both sides will be heavily depleted, with five Dolphins regulars away on Origin duty with Queensland.
While the Roosters have seven stars missing that are part of the Blues and Maroons squads. But Woolf says he’s delighted to have welcomed Katoa back to training on Thursday, in what is a welcome boost for the Dolphins as they chase a sixth-straight win.
The Dolphins coach commended the Blues staff for their communication around his co-captain, and the ongoing situation with Moses. And he added credence to suggestions that the release of Katoa from Origin camp was a clear indication that NSW were comfortable with how Moses is progressing.
Mitch Moses on track as Isaiya Katoa returns to Dolphins
“I couldn’t give the guys in the NSW camp enough of a wrap with their communication and the way they were really up front with the whole situation,” Woolf said. “They were really good to deal with and we knew what was happening the whole way along. They were always confident with Mitchell (Moses) and we knew that.
“There are no concerns from our point of view. If Isaiya gets to go into an Origin camp and play or be a 19th man we are really proud of him and happy for him.” And Woolf says being given the opportunity to train alongside some of the game’s best players will only help elevate his star halfback’s game to another level.
Isaiya Katoa has been released from the NSW Origin camp to play in the Dolphins’ home game against the Roosters on Friday night. Pic: Getty
(Ian Hitchcock via Getty Images)
“It is not something you see immediately, but I have seen him grow in confidence the last 12 months being around those camps,” the Dolphins coach said. “He might only pick up one or two things, but they are all things that help us. He gets to hang around guys like Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses, and that is all part of his development and great for him.”
with AAP