Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has been forced to add Isaiya Katoa to his list of Maroons stars ruled out of Saturday’s NRL showdown against the Wests Tigers, following a knee injury for the young half. Katoa picked up the injury during last week’s big win over the Roosters and played on through the pain before being taken off late in the game.
The 22-year-old trained with Woolf’s side during the week and was able to participate in running drills. But he pulled up sore later in the week, and will be replaced at halfback by Brad Schneider after the Dolphins opted not to take any risks with the star playmaker.
Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa (centre, L) has been ruled out of Saturday’s NRL game against the Tigers, joining a number of Maroons players who are being rested for the clash. Pic: Getty
(Getty)
Katoa’s loss is a further blow to the Dolphins, who were already missing Queensland Origin stars Selwyn Cobbo, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Flegler, with Max Plath and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki listed in the reserves for the Tigers game in Campbelltown. Woolf made an early call to rest the majority of his Maroons contingent after their big win in Origin 2 on Wednesday night.
However, he has named Finefeuiaki on the extended bench after the back-rower played limited minutes in Queensland’s 20-point win. Plath is less likely to feature after a bruising 58-minute stint off the bench for the Maroons. And centre Jack Bostock will start after failing to get any game time for the Blues at the MCG.
Dolphins confident Isaiya Katoa will return in Round 17
But Woolf says the Dolphins are unwilling to take a risk by playing Katoa, as they look to cement their spot in the top-four. Katoa has been in outstanding form this season and was part of the Blues’ Origin camp as a standby for Mitchell Moses. And Woolf is confident the young gun wil be right to return for the Round 17 showdown at home to the Warriors on Saturday week.
“He’s a really important player for us, so it’s a smart decision just to give him a week there,” Woolf said on Friday. “He’ll be right for next week, it’s not a major injury at all.
“But I didn’t want him out there worried about an injury or worry about re-hurting something and to have that in the back of his mind and not play at his best.” The Dolphins coach is happy to welcome back Origin players Finefeuiaki and Bostock though, to give his depleted squad some much needed firepower.
Influential Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa has been ruled out of the clash with the Tigers due to a knee injury. Pic: Getty
(Bradley Kanaris via Getty Images)
“Everyone’s really happy for them,” Woolf said. “They’ve come back with a real smile on their face and a spring in their step. I know they’re really happy to be with the group as well.”
NSW squad member Api Koroisau will play for Benji Marshall’s Tigers after being controversially left on the bench by Laurie Daley in Origin 2. Tony Sukkar comes into the starting side to replace injured back-rower Kai Pearce-Paul (pectoral), while Tigers half Adam Doueihi has been named on the extended bench as he looks to return from a shoulder injury suffered in Round 9.
with AAP