Robbie Ok For Scorpions' Opening Semi-final

Newcastle Herald

Saturday August 12, 2006

By NEIL GOFFET

ROBBIE O'Davis has declared himself fit to play for Macquarie in tomorrow's Newcastle Rugby League qualifying semi-final against Nelson Bay at Peacock Field.

Macquarie captain-coach Dan Quinn said he was prepared to let the former international make the final call on a torn hamstring but said the news was positive.

"He's only got to get through tonight's session and he'll be right," Quinn said yesterday. "He says he's playing, so I'm happy enough to go with that."

O'Davis, who is third on the list of most first-grade games for the Knights with 223, has missed more than half of the season due to hamstring trouble and broken ribs.

"It would have been nice to have him out there every week," Quinn said.

"But he's one of those players that will be great to have at this time of year and he can do something special that can change a game."

The Scorpions have had to make changes after winger Brad Burrows was ruled out this week for the remainder of the season with a groin injury.

Rohan Hopping will replace Burrows on one wing and Justin Hill is likely to start on the other if Matt Butler fails a fitness test on a corked shin.

"Rohan has been part of the first-grade squad nearly all season playing in the back row or at centre or on the wing," Quinn said.

"It's good to have someone with first-grade experience coming in, and we'll have to wait to see how Matt Butler is after training."

Quinn said Nathan Berry would be the other player promoted from reserve grade, to sit on the bench, if Butler is ruled out.

Macquarie finished second on the ladder, one point behind minor premiers Lakes United, but Nelson Bay are the only side they have not beaten all season.

The Blues are the defending champions and knocked Macquarie out in last year's elimination semi-final in a thriller at Tomaree Oval.

"To be honest, we were in that game until the last 15 or 20 minutes, and we only lost by six points," Quinn said.

"Looking back, it was probably the hardest game the Bay had in the finals series."

The Blues had the bye last weekend and are fit and ready for tomorrow's game.

Both clubs have named four fresh reserves on the bench, despite also playing each other in the reserve-grade qualifying semi-final.

Blues coach Robert Relf has named a high-quality bench in former Knight Leo Dynevor, James McCabe, Fred Tupou and Mick O'Shea.

© 2006 Newcastle Herald

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