Leeds names injured players in WCC team
Prop Josh Perry has warned Leeds could be playing into Manly's hands by rushing pint-sized Rob Burrow back from injury in Sunday's World Club Challenge.
The Rhinos have continued the intrigue for the Elland Road showdown by naming a 19-man squad, featuring several injured players including 79kg Burrow who has not played since a January 17 trial in Jacksonville because of back and neck problems.
"On one hand it will be an advantage to us if he doesn't play because he's a great player who can cause you some damage," Perry told AAP.
"But with it being the first game of the year for a player in that position, he could be off his game, a bit rusty and that could be an advantage to us as well, a slight advantage.
"These days you always do your best to work over a halfback but when he's that size, you'd be silly not to send plenty of runners his way."
Leeds, who continue to train behind closed doors, named also named Ryan Bailey (concussion), Lee Smith (leg), Ali Lauitiiti (hamstring) and Carl Ablett (concussion) in their extended squad.
Coach Brian McClennan will not name his starting side until an hour before kick-off.
"The good thing about Dessy (Hasler) is - we've prepared for all possible combinations that take the field for them," said Perry, who reckoned the Sea Eagles preparation was superior to Newcastle's when he played in the 2002 WCC.
Perry said he had also settled his differences with Leeds prop Kylie Leuluai, with whom he not only traded blows in a match several years ago but also clashed with after fulltime.
"We were just at a civic reception and I spoke to him 15 minutes ago," Perry said.
"With him being an old Manly boy, we've spoken several times since then.
"We had words after a game a few years ago. It's water under the bridge."
Centre Jamie Lyon says his captain, Matt Orford, should have proven to representative selectors by now that he can handle big occasions - but has another opportunity to do so on Sunday.
"I'm surprised he hasn't been over here before - he's 35 or 36!" Lyon joked.
"After last year he played in some big semis, a grand final.
"He's played in some big games now and always seems to play well - in my eyes and the rest of the club. He'll come out all guns firing on Sunday.
"He's as good as any halfback out there. I'd really like to see him up there."
And while Leeds centre Keith Senior has said he is keen to prove Super League's detractors - including Sea Eagles chief executive Grant Mayer - wrong, teammate Jamie Peacock says the result of the WCC proves nothing about the strength of the British game.
"The fans are down after the World Cup - I know that for a fact," Peacock said.
"Hopefully we can put a smile back on their face by winning this but it doesn't make up for the way England performed. I've been thinking a lot about that.
"In the NRL a lot of players come from different clubs to play for Australia. It's not the same over here.
"If Leeds win they can be proud but it's not a product of England."
Manly players attended a civic reception in Leeds on Friday before watching former teammate Steve Menzies play for Bradford against Huddersfield at Odsal Stadium.
The good news for organisers is that despite the global recession, some 29,000 tickets have already been sold - lending weight to Mayer's call early this week for the sport to expand the WCC concept into a Champions League.
In other news, former Sydney Roosters import Bobbie Goulding is a shock tip to succeed John Monie as coach of France.
Teams for the match, which kicks off a 5am Monday (AEDT time), are:
Manly: Brett Stewart; Michael Robertson, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, David Williams; Chris Bailey, Matt Orford (c); Glenn Stewart, Glenn Hall, Anthony Watmough, Josh Perry, Matt Ballin, Jason King. Res: Heath LeStrange, Adam Cuthbertson, George Rose, Shane Rodney, Jared Waera-Hargreaves (18th man)
Leeds: Scott Donald; Lee Smith, Keith Senior, Ryan Hall, Danny McGuire; Rob Burrow, Kylie Leuluai, Jamie Peacock, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Ali Lauitiiti, Kevin Sinfield (c), Matt Diskin, Ryan Bailey, Ian Kirke, Carl Ablett, Luke Burgess, Ashley Gibson, Kallum Watkins, Paul McShane.
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