Hopes for Tatipata
NORTHERN Pride under-20s player Steven Tatipata has had surgery on his broken leg and staff are hopeful the centre could return this year.
The club is still waiting to discover the full extent of the injury suffered in an in-house trial, but his coach Dave Scott said even if the diagnosis was seasonending, the rising star had shown enough in his quality and preseason professionalism to be in line for an Intrust Super Cup contract next season.
“It’s not a be all and end all season for him like he might have thought. He’s demonstrated his quality,” he said.
The under-18s and under-20s play their first matches on Sunday away to Souths Logan.
Celebrity shootout
SHOPPERS can test their skills against Opals centre Cayla George at Cairns Central today.
In an event at the Optus store hosted by former State of Origin star Lote Tuqiri, participants can get in the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games spirit by challenging George to a best-offive shootout.
The former Cairns Dolphins star said she was keen to get people excited about the Games. The event starts at 6pm.
Folau weighs options
WALLABIES ace Israel Folau is refusing to rule out another code switch as he weighs up his future after six seasons in rugby.
The superstar fullback is off contract at the end of 2018 and even the lure of a second Rugby World Cup appearance next year may not be enough to keep Folau in the 15-man code.
“Look, it’s something I enjoyed last time around. But, in saying that, there’s plenty of options on the line and, when that time comes, I’ll make a decision when I’m ready,” Folau said.
Burns digs deep
A GRITTY 97 from Joe Burns has saved Sheffield Shield finalists Queensland from a poor opening to their final-round match against NSW in Wollongong.
Needing a win to guarantee a home final, the Queensland top order had little answer yesterday to Trent Copeland’s accurate bowling, eventually being bowled out for 243.
NSW survived a tricky 13-over spell to end the day at 0-41.
Former Test batsman Burns was playing his first Shield match of the year after a groin injury.