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Canterbury coach Dean Pay has swung the axe and dropped three players as he desperately tries to turn the club’s on-field form around.
Foxsports.com.au understands halfback Lachlan Lewis, centre Kerrod Holland, and backrower Rhyse Martin have all been dumped for Saturday’s Round 9 clash with Newcastle.
Holland has travelled with the team to Brisbane but will take no part in Magic Round.
In a huge blow to the team, Corey Harawira-Naera was set to replace Holland at centre but he has withdrawn from the game due to a family illness.
It means Kieran Foran will make his return from injury to partner Jack Cogger in the halves, Marcelo Montoya will be added to the backline, and Chris Smith also gets promoted. Ofahiki Ogden is also expected to be called on, meaning the Bulldogs will use all four of their reserve players.
Canterbury sit bottom of the NRL ladder with two wins from six games and they’ve conceded the third most points in the competition.
Foxsports.com.au understands the axings are a result of that poor defence, and Pay has sounded a warning to the playing group to shape up.
It was earlier reported Lewis had remained in Sydney due to the impending birth of his first child, but the baby isn’t due until next week and he was told by Pay he wasn’t in the team.
It’s the second time this season Pay has swung the axe and made mass changes. He did it after two big losses to start the year.
Foxsports.com.au understands halfback Lachlan Lewis, centre Kerrod Holland, and backrower Rhyse Martin have all been dumped for Saturday’s Round 9 clash with Newcastle.
Holland has travelled with the team to Brisbane but will take no part in Magic Round.
In a huge blow to the team, Corey Harawira-Naera was set to replace Holland at centre but he has withdrawn from the game due to a family illness.
It means Kieran Foran will make his return from injury to partner Jack Cogger in the halves, Marcelo Montoya will be added to the backline, and Chris Smith also gets promoted. Ofahiki Ogden is also expected to be called on, meaning the Bulldogs will use all four of their reserve players.
Canterbury sit bottom of the NRL ladder with two wins from six games and they’ve conceded the third most points in the competition.
Foxsports.com.au understands the axings are a result of that poor defence, and Pay has sounded a warning to the playing group to shape up.
It was earlier reported Lewis had remained in Sydney due to the impending birth of his first child, but the baby isn’t due until next week and he was told by Pay he wasn’t in the team.
It’s the second time this season Pay has swung the axe and made mass changes. He did it after two big losses to start the year.
