Skipper Paul Gallen says Todd Carney is only a 50-50 chance of playing in Cronulla’s Monday night’s NRL season-opener as he’s still struggling to overcome a hamstring injury.
Carney was on Tuesday named in the halves alongside Daniel Holdsworth – who replaces injured halfback Jeff Robson – for the match against the Gold Coast.
But Gallen has cast doubt over whether the Sharks’ playmaker will be fit enough for round one, saying he has not been in full flight since re-injuring his troublesome hamstring at last month’s Auckland Nines tournament.
“He’s still probably 50-50,” Gallen told Sky Sports Radio on Wednesday.
“He hasn’t run flat out yet.
“He is running fairly quick, but there is a big difference between running quick and having to take off at 100 miles an hour especially with the hamstring injury that he’s got.
“I don’t know if it’s worth risking him round one to be perfectly honest.
“It is early on in the season and we do have a few other injuries. So, look, I think we’re just better off getting Toddy 100 per cent.
“But knowing Todd, he is going to do everything he can to play and he’s doing that at the moment.”
Gallen said Wade Graham would most likely replace Carney in the No.6 jumper, despite reports the backrower suffered a blood infection while in camp at Kiama.
If he’s unfit, hooker John Morris is a chance of shifting to the halves.
“We do have a few options there which is good, but obviously it’s going to be very hard to replace Todd Carney,” he said.
“It’s going to be an interesting round one. We’re going to be skinny, our side. We have some big names that won’t be playing.”
Meanwhile Gallen said, physically, he’s feeling better than he’s ever been, even after a reduced pre-season owing to the World Cup campaign late last year.
“I don’t want to talk it up too much, but I’m probably in the best shape I’ve been in for a number of years to be honest,” he said.
“We had a fitness session last Wednesday, Friday then Monday, and even (coach) Peter Sharp came up and said to me `mate, I’ve never seen you run like this’.”