RUGBY LEAGUE Picking team’s captain big call

TOWNSVILLE Bl a c khawks coach Kristian Woolf will wait until the 11th hour to appoint a new captain as they prepare to welcome a number of fringe Cowboys for the Queensland Cup season.

Prop Daniel Beasley’s departure to play in France left the captaincy role open and Saturday’s trial against a Todd Carney- inspired Northern Pride at Jack Manski Oval, will be pivotal in Woolf’s decision.

“That ( captaincy) is something we’ll decide once we get through the trials,” Woolf said

“We want to see who leads by example and a couple of blokes really stuck their hand up ( in Saturday’s 40- 8 win over Central Capras in Mackay).

“Through the pre- season those guys have shown they’re going to be the leaders in the group, but I want to make sure I get that decision 100 per cent right.

“We’ve got another week of training before I have to make that call.”

The Blackhawks are brimming with talent and their demolition job of the Capras, where they led 36- 0 at halftime before resting some key players, was a warning shot to the rest of the league.

Woolf faces a welcome dilemma with a handful of Cowboys players set to bolster his squad. Centre Shaun Hudson will make his return from a serious knee injury for the Blackhawks, while former players who have graduated to the Cowboys’ full- time squad will also return.

“I’d expect guys who have come through our club like Corey Jensen if he’s not playing first grade, Francis Molo, Carlin Anderson, those guys who have progressed through us will certainly come back,” Woolf said.

The Blackhawks will play two full matches against the Pride, with some players from the first game to feature in the main match.

Woolf said the presence of big name players like Carney in the competition would only enhance its profile.

“It’s great to have guys like Todd Carney in the competition, they certainly bring some interest and profile, and really add to things,” Woolf said.

“Not only are they good for those teams, but for the spectators they bring to games and how it’s viewed as the second best competition in Australia.

“It’s only a trial, but it’s still a big challenge. We really benefited having guys like Neville Costigan, Glenn Hall and Matt Bowen around, and Carney will be the same for the Pride.”

Local league players Nathan Traill ( Centrals) and John White ( Brothers) will both get a chance to impress in the Blackhawks trials on Saturday.