Kurt Mann has been handed the daunting challenge of filling in for injured five-eighth Gareth Widdop after being selected in the No.6 jumper for St George Illawarra on Thursday.
The Dragons’ strong start to the season has been soured by confirmation that their skipper will miss just his second match for the club after picking up a knee injury last week.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor conceded the loss of Widdop is a major blow ahead of their top-of-the-table clash with a near full-strength Melbourne.
“He’s obviously got a skill level that others don’t. He’s on top of his game – he was playing the best football of his career,” McGregor told reporters on Thursday.
“No one wants to see that from any player, especially since he’s your captain. But one down and another one steps in. Kurt will get that honour this weekend. He’s really looking forward to it.”
The 24-year-old Mann will make his first career start at five-eighth after a sporadic four-year career where he has played at fullback, wing and centre.
McGregor said it was imperative his teammates help him adjust to the role.
“He’s been a feature in our side over the last two years whether it be a different position… For us it’s learning a new position for him as coaches,” he said.
“And the players need to give him that support base when he’s out there in the middle because he’s going to be learning on the run, it’s not a position he’s played a lot of.”
In other late-round selection news, the Warriors have blooded rookie Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad for injured winger Solomone Kata (hamstring) for Sunday’s clash against the Sydney Roosters.
Kata picked up the injury in his team’s loss to the Storm however a timetable has yet to made on his return, handing the 21-year-old Nicoll-Klokstad his debut.
The Roosters have included second-rower Mitchell Aubusson following his one-game absence with a virus, and have named out-of-favour centre Latrell Mitchell on an extended bench.
Aubusson’s return means Sio Siua Taukeiaho moves to the bench and big man Kane Evans pushed onto the reserves.
