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Briers likely to miss Quins clash but Monas return lifts Wolves
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| Michael Monaghan applauds his teammates' victory at Castleford from the sidelines |
PAUL Cullen hopes Michael Monaghan's return will lift Wolves against Harlequins on Saturday with the Australian set to replace Lee Briers in the halves.
Briers tweaked a calf muscle in Monday's 34-31 win at Castleford and is a major doubt for the Quins home clash, which kicks off at 6pm.
But Monaghan is ready to return after missing the Easter period with a long-standing calf injury that had blighted him since pre-season.
He is likely to partner Vinnie Anderson in the halves, although Paul Wood revealed in his blog for the Warrington Guardian website that Simon Grix has an outside chance of a surprise return after responding to treatment on an ankle injury.
Grix had an operation last Tuesday and had been expected to be out for another six weeks.
Cullen is wary Wolves may be tired after their Easter exertions but hopes a fresh Monaghan can make a difference.
He said: "Michael could have played on Friday and he could have played on Monday. That niggle in the calf had to be put to bed and hopefully the time has enabled him to do that.
"We expect him to play on Saturday against Harlequins.
"Easter is a difficult period.
"You never quite know whether the damage will show on day one or day two, or on week one or week two.
"Hopefully Michael Monaghan will give us the lift that we'll need to beat Harlequins."
Stuart Reardon is also a serious doubt for Saturday's game after limping off with a tweaked hamstring at Cas so Chris Hicks, who is Super League's top try scorer with 10 tries but was without a try for the first time this season on Monday, may again fill in as full back and goal-kicker. Paul Johnson may switch to the right wing.
Mike Cooper is likely to be unavailable after a reserve match saw him pick up an injury to the same ankle he damaged in a horrific leg fracture last year, although initial X-rays have been all clear. Lee Mitchell and Chris Riley could be in contention for call-ups.
6:53am Thursday 27th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Peter, Bewsey on 11:00am Thu 27 Mar 08
your spot on here tony, and i agree with what you saying. as far as i am concerned briers is a spent force. Too many hard games over the years where he was the main man have took their toll. Briers will not be at the club in a couple of years i think.
your spot on here tony, and i agree with what you saying. as far as i am concerned briers is a spent force. Too many hard games over the years where he was the main man have took their toll. Briers will not be at the club in a couple of years i think.
Posted by: Big Jim, Warrington on 11:56am Thu 27 Mar 08
Now boys your likely to run into the "Briers for Britain" brigade if your not careful. The man has been a good servat for our club but at this time in his career we as a club and supporters have to understand wheter or not he can still cut it (no room for sentiment here). When other teams have a spent force (Peters words not mine) they move on and change things for to long, Wire always put up with aging players. There is a change in the air but we cannot let it drag it's feet. My words - Briers has had his testimonial match, the testimonial year is up(i've been to a few event and very good they were), he is no longer the "blue eyed boy", no longer Captain, lost his touch with goal and positional kicks so how interested is he?
Now boys your likely to run into the "Briers for Britain" brigade if your not careful. The man has been a good servat for our club but at this time in his career we as a club and supporters have to understand wheter or not he can still cut it (no room for sentiment here). When other teams have a spent force (Peters words not mine) they move on and change things for to long, Wire always put up with aging players. There is a change in the air but we cannot let it drag it's feet. My words - Briers has had his testimonial match, the testimonial year is up(i've been to a few event and very good they were), he is no longer the "blue eyed boy", no longer Captain, lost his touch with goal and positional kicks so how interested is he?
Posted by: Big Jim, Warrington on 1:05pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Heard a story that Briers is out for 4 weeks with his calf injury!
Heard a story that Briers is out for 4 weeks with his calf injury!
Posted by: Mr Yates, Stockton Heath on 1:07pm Thu 27 Mar 08
I think Briers could play on for at least another 4 years if he looks after his body a bit more. The good thing is from a Warrington perspective is that we are no longer reliant on one man like Wigan are with Trent Barrett.
I think Briers could play on for at least another 4 years if he looks after his body a bit more. The good thing is from a Warrington perspective is that we are no longer reliant on one man like Wigan are with Trent Barrett.
Posted by: saz on wire!, woolston on 5:10pm Thu 27 Mar 08
i agree that briers has lost it a bit, but saying that his conversions are improving after his kickin trainin, i just believe that he was under pressure last season and in my eyes he's still the captain now because he's still tellin everyone wot 2 do in trainin, and you can't say he just steps in coz in game play he still takin everythin under his belt and no disrispect 2 moza but he don't even tel any of em wot 2 do its still briers doin it! i no monas does help but i mean come on, imagin how he feelin! if dat woz me i wud of walked off da pitch anyway by now!
i agree that briers has lost it a bit, but saying that his conversions are improving after his kickin trainin, i just believe that he was under pressure last season and in my eyes he's still the captain now because he's still tellin everyone wot 2 do in trainin, and you can't say he just steps in coz in game play he still takin everythin under his belt and no disrispect 2 moza but he don't even tel any of em wot 2 do its still briers doin it! i no monas does help but i mean come on, imagin how he feelin! if dat woz me i wud of walked off da pitch anyway by now!
Posted by: Tezzerwolf, warrington on 6:47pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Tony's Spuds[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Gerry[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Tony's Spuds[/bold] wrote: There was a time when a Warrington side without Briers was like a spud without butter, they were very ordinary! Now we have Monagahan who does all the kicking and organises play we don't really need Lee Briers as much.[/quote] I like your style Tony!!!!! Briers is still a great player on his day but admit we must now look to the future. I say keep Briers till the end of 2009 then bring in Matty Smith from Saints, a cracking talent who can kick goals. BTW Tony whats the best filling you serve up with your spuds i wouldnt mind having one next time I am shopping in town?[/quote] I would suggest you try my chilli its proper hot but its good for putting hairs on your chest! Or if you prefer something lighter a tuna mayo always hits the spot![/quote] Briers is still up there in the stats for try assists (Engage web site) thats his job. It will be interesting to see how the team goes without him. Cheese and beans for me, plenty of pepper. NOW THE WIRE!!!!!!!!!!!.
Tony's Spuds wrote:
Gerry wrote: Tony's Spuds wrote: There was a time when a Warrington side without Briers was like a spud without butter, they were very ordinary! Now we have Monagahan who does all the kicking and organises play we don't really need Lee Briers as much.
I like your style Tony!!!!! Briers is still a great player on his day but admit we must now look to the future. I say keep Briers till the end of 2009 then bring in Matty Smith from Saints, a cracking talent who can kick goals. BTW Tony whats the best filling you serve up with your spuds i wouldnt mind having one next time I am shopping in town?
I would suggest you try my chilli its proper hot but its good for putting hairs on your chest! Or if you prefer something lighter a tuna mayo always hits the spot!
Briers is still up there in the stats for try assists (Engage web site) thats his job. It will be interesting to see how the team goes without him. Cheese and beans for me, plenty of pepper. NOW THE WIRE!!!!!!!!!!!.
Posted by: stubblesteve, woolston on 8:46pm Thu 27 Mar 08
and I got called the other week for saying briers was still acting like he was captain. he is still calling the shots even when monas on the pitch. think about its like running your own buisness then having to go and work for someone else. its hard to break habits and adjust. when our two main play makers gel watch us go. come on u wolves
and I got called the other week for saying briers was still acting like he was captain. he is still calling the shots even when monas on the pitch. think about its like running your own buisness then having to go and work for someone else. its hard to break habits and adjust. when our two main play makers gel watch us go. come on u wolves
Posted by: Neil, Sankey on 8:08am Fri 28 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Big Jim[/bold] wrote:
Now boys your likely to run into the "Briers for Britain" brigade if your not careful. The man has been a good servat for our club but at this time in his career we as a club and supporters have to understand wheter or not he can still cut it (no room for sentiment here). When other teams have a spent force (Peters words not mine) they move on and change things for to long, Wire always put up with aging players. There is a change in the air but we cannot let it drag it's feet. My words - Briers has had his testimonial match, the testimonial year is up(i've been to a few event and very good they were), he is no longer the "blue eyed boy", no longer Captain, lost his touch with goal and positional kicks so how interested is he?[/quote] If lee briers has lost his touch i don't know what team you people are watching. Monday proves a point perfectly as soon as he left the pitch we went from agressors to regressers against cas. He is still the leader out on the pitch. When cas were storming back i stood and watched Moz behind the tryline and he was like a dummy, it was briers who was barking out the orders and doing the organising. As for how interested is he if you cut lee in half he would bleed primrose and blue, not bad really for a st helens lad. For a warrington lad to give 10 years service to the wolves is amazing for a lad from out of town to give 10 years service is absolutely astounding. I for one think Lee Briers still has another 3 years left in him as a wolves player, lets just hope monas proves to be half as good then we really can look forward to some trophy laden years before Lee really does have to hang up his boots.
Big Jim wrote:
Now boys your likely to run into the "Briers for Britain" brigade if your not careful. The man has been a good servat for our club but at this time in his career we as a club and supporters have to understand wheter or not he can still cut it (no room for sentiment here). When other teams have a spent force (Peters words not mine) they move on and change things for to long, Wire always put up with aging players. There is a change in the air but we cannot let it drag it's feet. My words - Briers has had his testimonial match, the testimonial year is up(i've been to a few event and very good they were), he is no longer the "blue eyed boy", no longer Captain, lost his touch with goal and positional kicks so how interested is he?
If lee briers has lost his touch i don't know what team you people are watching. Monday proves a point perfectly as soon as he left the pitch we went from agressors to regressers against cas. He is still the leader out on the pitch. When cas were storming back i stood and watched Moz behind the tryline and he was like a dummy, it was briers who was barking out the orders and doing the organising. As for how interested is he if you cut lee in half he would bleed primrose and blue, not bad really for a st helens lad. For a warrington lad to give 10 years service to the wolves is amazing for a lad from out of town to give 10 years service is absolutely astounding. I for one think Lee Briers still has another 3 years left in him as a wolves player, lets just hope monas proves to be half as good then we really can look forward to some trophy laden years before Lee really does have to hang up his boots.
Posted by: saz on wire!, woolston on 8:20pm Fri 28 Mar 08
well sed neil, i cudn't agree wid u more!! every time briers goes off da pitch injured da whole team falls apart! so if thats not evidence 4 u i don't no wot is! its practicaly clear 2 me, everyones 2 reliant on briers and i dont think its fair on him.he didnt really have a good season last year, but thats coz he woz under pressure and he was playing wid an injury, but now hes kikins gettin lots better an i hope hes back frm injury soon! come on da WIRE!!!
well sed neil, i cudn't agree wid u more!! every time briers goes off da pitch injured da whole team falls apart! so if thats not evidence 4 u i don't no wot is! its practicaly clear 2 me, everyones 2 reliant on briers and i dont think its fair on him.he didnt really have a good season last year, but thats coz he woz under pressure and he was playing wid an injury, but now hes kikins gettin lots better an i hope hes back frm injury soon! come on da WIRE!!!
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