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Tate set to return on wing
By Barry **** and Amy Harris
July 19, 2005
FORMER Test centre Brent Tate makes no secret of his dislike for playing out of position but he may be forced to return on the wing for the Broncos in Friday night's NRL blockbuster clash with the Bulldogs.
Tate has been restricted to 10 matches for Brisbane this year and has not played since round 14 on June 11.
However, he has overcome an ankle injury and is set to be included today in the squad for the Telstra Stadium showdown with the premiers.
Coach Wayne Bennett would not be drawn on his selection preference yesterday but it is highly unlikely he would want to split the centre combination of Justin Hodges and Shaun Berrigan to bring back Tate.
Hodges was a standout for the Broncos in their win over Melbourne last Sunday, adding to his impressive form of the past month, and Berrigan scored yet another try in a solid allround performance.
The Broncos-Bulldogs clash received a boost yesterday when props Shane Webcke (Brisbane) and Mark O'Meley (Canterbury) were cleared to play despite being charged by the NRL judiciary commissioner.
Webcke is likely to plead guilty to a grade-one dangerous throw but will avoid suspension because his demerit points will be only 93.
O'Meley was charged with a grade-one careless high tackle, carrying 75 demerit points.
A repentant Webcke yesterday said he would "have to cop" the citing for a lifting tackle on Melbourne's Jake Webster in the 66th minute of Sunday's 28-15 win.
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"I have to admit his legs got above the horizontal in the tackle, although that was never my intention," he said.
"It's up to the coach what I do about the charge but my inclination would be to enter an early plea."
Bennett, a loud opponent of the NRL's crackdown on lifting tackles, confirmed a guilty plea probably would be lodged. Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer said the club was confident Webcke would be cleared to play against the Bulldogs.
"It will be nice to have him for that game - he's an important player," Lockyer said.
"The Dogs have a lot of their guys back and this week will be a good test for us."
Webster last night expressed surprise that Webcke would escape suspension. He said he felt no resentment towards the former Test front-rower but was shocked that Webcke would be free to play on Friday night.
"It is one of those things that can happen in a game. I know Shane Webcke isn't a dirty player," he said.
By Barry **** and Amy Harris
July 19, 2005
FORMER Test centre Brent Tate makes no secret of his dislike for playing out of position but he may be forced to return on the wing for the Broncos in Friday night's NRL blockbuster clash with the Bulldogs.
Tate has been restricted to 10 matches for Brisbane this year and has not played since round 14 on June 11.
However, he has overcome an ankle injury and is set to be included today in the squad for the Telstra Stadium showdown with the premiers.
Coach Wayne Bennett would not be drawn on his selection preference yesterday but it is highly unlikely he would want to split the centre combination of Justin Hodges and Shaun Berrigan to bring back Tate.
Hodges was a standout for the Broncos in their win over Melbourne last Sunday, adding to his impressive form of the past month, and Berrigan scored yet another try in a solid allround performance.
The Broncos-Bulldogs clash received a boost yesterday when props Shane Webcke (Brisbane) and Mark O'Meley (Canterbury) were cleared to play despite being charged by the NRL judiciary commissioner.
Webcke is likely to plead guilty to a grade-one dangerous throw but will avoid suspension because his demerit points will be only 93.
O'Meley was charged with a grade-one careless high tackle, carrying 75 demerit points.
A repentant Webcke yesterday said he would "have to cop" the citing for a lifting tackle on Melbourne's Jake Webster in the 66th minute of Sunday's 28-15 win.
Advertisement:
"I have to admit his legs got above the horizontal in the tackle, although that was never my intention," he said.
"It's up to the coach what I do about the charge but my inclination would be to enter an early plea."
Bennett, a loud opponent of the NRL's crackdown on lifting tackles, confirmed a guilty plea probably would be lodged. Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer said the club was confident Webcke would be cleared to play against the Bulldogs.
"It will be nice to have him for that game - he's an important player," Lockyer said.
"The Dogs have a lot of their guys back and this week will be a good test for us."
Webster last night expressed surprise that Webcke would escape suspension. He said he felt no resentment towards the former Test front-rower but was shocked that Webcke would be free to play on Friday night.
"It is one of those things that can happen in a game. I know Shane Webcke isn't a dirty player," he said.
