Eels face nervous wait on scans

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur faces a nervous wait this week to find the final prognosis on a number of his players after the Eels limped away from the Auckland Nines with the heaviest injury toll of the weekend.Hooker Kaysa Pritchard could be out for some time after tearing his pectoral in the club's first group game against Manly, while Kenny Edwards (knee) and Brad Takairangi (knee) both had their tournaments ended by minor ailments.However of most interest to Arthur will be the health of halfback Chris Sandow, who was arguably the player of the tournament before he limped off the field with an ankle injury in their semi-final loss to South Sydney.Arthur allayed concern about the off-contract playmaker, but said the entire squad would undergo scans upon their return to Sydney."Yeah he's alright. It's just a bump," Arthur said on Sunday. "We got a couple [of injuries] but I don't think any of them are too major except for Kaysa, but we just have to wait and see when we get back."Everyone that's got a bump or bruise will get scans at some stage, but it's nothing. [Sandow will] be right."Had Arthur's side continued their resurgence in the tournament and upset the rampant Rabbitohs, the second-year coach would've been left with just 14 available players out of the chosen squad of 18."We were a bit busted and maybe had a couple of them there that maybe we shouldn't have. But what do you do? I have no idea. You can't bring 25 players. It's just what it is."Arthur was unsure whether a bigger Nines roster would've prevented any of the injuries."Yeah it would [help], but then you get to the back end and you might have a heap of fresh players up against some blokes who have played quite a few games. That'd add to the list. But really, I'd be only guessing to what the best solution is," he said.Overall, the popular Eels coach was pleased with a weekend where his side fell one game short of the final."We said [that] as long as we come here and we're professional with our approach to the weekend, we have a bit of fun and we improve on what we did last year... we've done all three of those," he said.http://www.nrl.com/eels-face-nervous-wait-on-scans/tabid/10874/newsid/83629/default.aspx

"Broncos just have star power all over, we need to force them to make mistakes in order to beat them. Is a possibility hell yeah is it likely maybe not. Their forwards probably will have so much leverage over ours. Will be scary one brother."

Replies

Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 1, 2015 at 6:41pm

This is part of the reason the 9s is a joke, its a nothing comp where your players can get seriously injured, anybody who thinks its wise to send your stars to the 9s is stark raving mad.
- 1Eyed Eel > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 1, 2015 at 6:46pm
  
  Your players can get seriously injured training too. And indeed, I suggest that the players would have plenty of sessions that are far more physical than the nines. You can't cotton-wool players because simple fact is they can go down at any time for any reason.
- Outrunna > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 1, 2015 at 6:54pm
  
  Snake i kinda agree with you but not completely. I like the nines tournament as a warm up . In saying that, then there is the all star game and all the trial games as well and its too much.
  
  In the case of souths, they play the nines, some play all stars game and charity shield and then fly to england for the world club challenge.
  
  Way too much
- Wayne > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 1, 2015 at 8:10pm
  
  Agree 100% snake! Players are not designed to play 9's week in week out, so I believe this increases the risk for injury. Yes they can be injured training, but at least while training they are performing drills/activities specific to their normal role in the NRL which reduces their risk of injury.
- 1ee > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 1, 2015 at 8:15pm
  
  The thing is it might be small shit Comp but it's a small shitty comp with 2.6 mil in prize money.
  Question: do you win money when you win a premiership?
- 1ee > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 1, 2015 at 8:18pm
  
  And did we take any prize money home from this 9's Comp?
- 1ee > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 1, 2015 at 9:07pm
  
  What did the rabbitohs take away?
- 1ee > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 1, 2015 at 9:24pm
  
  Thanks MFL, could you answer my other question? Do you win money for winning the premiereship?
  
  Thanks mate.
- 1ee > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 1, 2015 at 9:28pm
  
  Hmmm yeah 370k really isn't worth the injuries we've racked up let alone 165k. Less the injuries I think how we placed would have been good for team morale.
- 1ee > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown February 1, 2015 at 9:42pm
  
  Hahahaha Yeh, not sure how sef will play out. More disappointment to come probably. BA will do what needs to be done for the team.
  Member for life, thanks mate I appreciate your knowledge.