Canberra forwards Josh Papalii and Sia Soliola say Dave Taylor is primed to be unleashed if star prop Shannon Boyd is ruled out of their NRL clash with Penrith due to injury.
Boyd didn’t return after injuring his knee in Sunday’s golden-point loss to Manly, but remained a chance to play in Saturday’s match in Bathurst.
But the depth of Canberra’s pack will be tested either way, with scans confirming bench forward Dunamis Lui won’t play again this season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in the 21-20 defeat at Lottoland.
Soliola was hopeful Boyd would play, but said Taylor’s size and experience made him one of a number of options who could provide cover.
“We’ve got the medical staff working hard on him and he’s working diligently himself,” Soliola said.
Taylor has had an unlucky start to his time in Canberra, with injuries and illness limiting him to two appearances from the bench since being handed a lifeline to restart his NRL career.
The former Queensland State of Origin star could be forgiven for cursing his luck with a bout of chickenpox derailing the “Coal Train” shortly after he had recovered from a calf issue.
But Soliola said Taylor’s attitude had been exemplary.
“He’s just been smashing out the sessions they’ve provided for him,” Soliola said.
“I know a lot of guys in his position that would probably be kicking stones or have their head down. Not Dave – he’s a tough character and that’s what you want.”
The injuries come at a tough time for the ninth-placed Raiders, as they prepare for a resurgent Panthers outfit after their 38-0 thrashing of Canterbury.
“If there’s one position that we are pretty confident in having depth in, it’s the middle,” Soliola said.
Boyd and Lui’s curtailed games meant Papalii played 82 minutes against Manly, just four days after being one of Queensland’s best players in their disastrous Origin series opener.
He said he would be fine to face Penrith after a couple of days’ rest, but was unsure if Boyd would play.
“We’ve got players who’ve played NRL before and we’ve got some experience with Jeff Lima and Dave Taylor,” Papalii said.
