The Sharks had a full contingent at training earlier today, with Kangaroos Wade Graham, Josh Dugan and Valentine Holmes, along with Tongan rep Andrew Fifita, re-joining the NRL squad after a well-earned break following the World Cup.
The Australian representatives were at the Sharks Academy fields, while Fifita was back at Southern Cross Group Stadium working in the gym on rehabilitating his ankle and getting his fitness up to speed, with the four the last of the World Cup stars to return to training as preparations continued ahead of the 2018 NRL season.
For Dugan, it was his first official hit out in Sharks colours, with the international centre looking fit, keen and full of energy as he went through his paces in the hot and humid conditions.
All three of the Sharks Kangaroos played integral roles in their team’s World Cup success, while Fifita was a standout for Tonga in taking the small island nation to within inches of a berth in the final.
Stretching out for the line and for a try which would have sealed a remarkable win over England in their semi-final match, Fifita had the ball dislodged from his grasp and the Tongan’s were denied the fairy-tale finish.
Immediately following his World Cup campaign Fifita underwent ankle surgery, however he is on track to be fit to play the February 24 trial match against the Wests Tigers two weeks prior to the NRL season-opener in Townsville.
The Sharks will also host a trial game at Southern Cross Group Stadium against the Manly Sea Eagles on February 17.
As for Holmes, Graham and Dugan, all three trained strongly today and have returned with no injury concerns.
