Injury forces centre out of 47th Battalion
RUGBY LEAGUE: The Toowoomba Clydesdales have suffered an injury blow ahead of Saturday week’s 47th Battalion with Warwick’s Joe Fuimaono ruled out of the two-day carnival.
He suffered a broken clavicle in the Cowboys’ loss to Valleys at the weekend. The rampaging centre has had a big 2018 to date, including earning player of the match honours against Gatton a fortnight ago, and terrorising defensive edges.
He will be replaced by Wattles’ Jake Hargreaves, who is no stranger to the representative scene.
The former Melbourne Storm U20s, Easts Tigers and Wynnum Manly centre joined Wattles at the start of the year, and despite injury concerns of his own in the earlier rounds, is raring to go.
The inclusion of Hargreaves means six Wattles players will form the 19-man squad.
TRL chairman Brian Gilroy said it was a tough blow for Fuimaono, however presented the opportunity for Hargreaves to make his mark.
“He’s very disappointed. He got himself fit and was keen to play. It’s sad for him,” Gilroy said.
“Hargreaves was considered. He missed a couple of games, but for a young man he has a lot of experience.
“He’s a big strong kid, and the way the game is played, it’s very important for the back five to bring the ball out.”
The blow continues a challenging run for the Warwick Cowboys, with captain Mick Bloomfield not considered for selection due to a back injury.
CLYDESDALES SQUAD
Alex Ambia, Hnaloan Budden, Dylan Chown, Ronnie David, Matt Duggan, Steve Franciscus, Ty Gardner, Jackson Green, Jake Hargreaves, Billy Jackwitz, Mitch Konia, Jarrod Lee, Xavier Manley, Cory McGrady, Dale Perkins, Josh Robinson, Ben Sullivan, Jason Wardrop, Daniel York