Series a Pride testing ground

CAIRNS and District Rugby League players participating in the Lightning Challenge are doing no harm to their chances of a Northern Pride call-up in the future.

Pride Intrust Super Cup coach Ty Williams said he had been impressed with the Ivanhoe Knights duo of Whyatt Barnes and Dallas Skardon, who had both taken up the rare opportunity to line up for the Pride in the one-off rugby league series.

The Cairns Foley Shield representatives have made the most of their time in the Pride jersey and Williams believes they have to be considered for permanent spots in the squad ahead of the pre-season.

“Their ability to step up to this level is going to take time, but they’ve showcased more than enough,” Williams said. “I like that they’re tough, firstly.

“Barnesy’s been impressive — he’s been throttled a couple of times, but he keeps turning up and, to me, that typifies a Northern Pride player.

“They’re heading right direction.”

Williams said Mareeba Gladiators prop Kurt Jackson was a standout in Round 1, before sustaining a knee injury.

“The good thing about Kurt is he’s a sponge with rugby league,” he said.

“The moment I spoke to him about what’s required from him, he took it on board and ticked all the right boxes.

“He’s injured at the moment but he still travels down from Mareeba to make sure he sees the physio.

“In saying that, he was impressive in the first game in the

— big body, weight well.

“We put him in a brace last week, just due to the fact he had a loose PCL (posterior cruciate ligament).

“He might be able to play at the back end of the Challenge.”

Williams said Ivanhoe’s Rhy Young also showed promise prior to picking up a knee injury in Round 2.

“They’ve really put their best foot forward,” he said. carries

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