While some of the boys were still feeling the bumps and bruises earlier today following a bruising Monday night encounter with the reigning premiers the North Queensland Cowboys, there were no major injury concerns stemming from the game.
Matt Prior was a late addition to the Sharks side on Monday after missing his teams’ previous two matches with a knee injury, while on the other side of the ledger winger Sosaia Feki was a late withdrawal.
Feki was given up until the morning of the match to prove his groin strain had completely healed, however medical staff made the decision to rule him out so as to not make the injury worse and risk an extended period on the sideline.
Continuing his rehabilitation this week Feki is on track to be available for the Sharks next match which is against the Warriors on June 25.
In other news coming from the Cowboys match, skipper Paul Gallen tweaked an ankle in the win and although he has been on restricted training duties during the early stages of the NSW camp, the Blues and Sharks Captain is in no doubt for the second game of the Origin series next Wednesday night.
As is his character and commitment to the Sharks, Gallen is expected to back up for the game against the Warriors should be come through the second Origin game unscathed. There is also no suggestion at this stage of Andrew Fifita or James Maloney being rested.
In all the Sharks have used just 19 players in the top grade through the first 14 rounds of the season, a great testament to their current form, their training regimen and their attention to detail in treating minor injuries.
In relation to the extended squad and the boys currently turning out for Newtown in the Intrust Super Premiership, five eighth Josh Cleeland made an unexpected but most welcome return last weekend after missing a couple of games with an ankle injury.
The Jets scored a convincing 54-6 win over Wentworthville last Saturday and this week play the New Zealand Warriors at Henson Park in a round 15 match-up.
From that extended Sharks squad only Junior Roqica remains unavailable, with the Fijian international sidelined with a foot injury. He is confident of a return, if not in round 16 then soon after.
The Sharks trained today however with the bye in round 15 have been given a three-day weekend. They are scheduled to resume training next Monday.
