Creagh wants Soward back for NRL’s Dragons

Experienced St George Illawarra forward Ben Creagh says he’d love to see fallen star Jamie Soward recalled to the NRL as the Dragons’ season hangs in the balance.

Soward was dropped to NSW Cup last weekend, coach Steve Price preferring Nathan Fien at five-eighth against the Sydney Roosters.

The Dragons suffered a costly loss to Soward’s battling former team, meaning they face a crunch clash with Wests Tigers on Saturday night as both sides bid to scrape into the finals.

Creagh, who was a Blues teammate of Soward’s just last year, spoke out in support of the premiership winning No.6 on Monday.

“I think he’s been a great player for us for a long time and I think he still is,” said Creagh.

“I’d love to see him back in the side.”

After playing well in the Illawarra Cutters’ win on the weekend, Soward trained with the NRL team on Monday.

Creagh said the playmaker is feeling increasingly confident in managing a back injury he’s been carrying for the past few weeks.

Price made the tough call last week to drop one of his biggest names, and will decide on Tuesday whether or not to reverse the decision and pit Soward against Tigers dynamo Benji Marshall.

Results went the Dragons’ way last week meaning they’re still on the same points as eighth-placed Gold Coast, albeit with an inferior for and against.

However, Creagh said St George Illawarra can’t afford to waste another opportunity to get on a roll.

“It’s must win and we’ve got to start putting in some good performances if we want to play finals footy because at the moment, the way we played on the weekend, we won’t last the first week if we keep play like that,” he said.

Creagh also joined Blues captain Paul Gallen in voicing his support for Phil Gould to take over from Ricky Stuart as NSW coach should he make himself available.

“Gus Gould’s record speaks for itself and going into a job like that you’d want the most experienced person to take over because of what’s at stake,” he said.

“What that person can bring and what they already know about Origin is very important.”

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