Scans for Webb, Kaufusi into Origin camp - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Scans for Webb, Kaufusi into Origin camp

By Wayne Heming and Daniel Pace 20/05/2007 09:28:22 PM Comments (0)

Queensland will rush Melbourne's Antonio Kaufusi into Origin camp on Monday because of a question mark over the fitness of forward enforcer Carl Webb.

Webb will have scans on what team doctor Roy Saunders described as a slightly torn hamstring, sustained during the team's training run on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

"It's just precautionary," said Queensland's chairman of selectors Des Morris.

"We don't think there's any problems, but we just want to be sure."

Webb, whose aggression would be sorely missed against a Test-strength NSW pack, has had persistent hamstring problems throughout his career.

The Cowboy, who has only recently returned to playing following a broken jaw, declared his desire to fill the enforcer role for Queensland once held by former captain Gorden Tallis.

While Webb's presence is in doubt teammate Greg Inglis has vowed to make his felt during Wednesday's series opener at Suncorp Stadium.

The star winger scored two tries on debut for the Maroons in Origin I last year before stress fractures in his back prematurely ruined his 2006 campaign.

The 20-year-old is confident he can cause havoc for the Blues defenders despite his failure to score a try in his new five-eighth role for Melbourne.

Inglis bagged 18 tries from 19 NRL matches last year and made 26 line breaks to claim the tag as the most destructive player in the competition but he's struggled to make an impact in the No.6 jersey for the Storm.

He's confident he can regain that sizzling form in the Origin arena.

"I've had one (Origin) game but I'll be looking to dominate this game as well," he said about the series opener.

"I want to make a presence and I want that presence to be felt."

In an ominous warning for NSW, Inglis said he wouldn't be sitting back and waiting for the ball in his second Origin encounter.

"I made that mistake last year and it won't happen again this year," promised Inglis at the team's Gold Coast base.

Inglis said he was a far more confident player this season following his five Test matches for Australia in last year's successful Tri Nations campaign.

"I think this year I'm more confident and more relaxed and I know what to expect," the Kempsey product said.

"Coming into (the Maroons) camp there's more bonding than there was last year, only because it was my first time being a rookie."

Meanwhile, Maroons interchange forward Nate Myles has moved to dispel fears he is lacking fitness in the lead-up to Origin I following some intense sessions with Sydney Roosters and NSW trainer Ron Palmer.

Rugged defender Myles hasn't played football for a month because of a three-match suspension for striking and the Roosters having a bye, raising concerns about his fitness.

"I think I'm actually fitter now than what I was back then (a month ago)," said Myles, who watched the struggling Roosters suffer a 26-2 thrashing to the Storm.

"Ronnie Palmer has been really tough with me. He's had me every day for fitness so I'm feeling good.

"It's been a lot of game-related stuff ... torture really."

Myles said he expected the Blues forwards to hit hard with "controlled aggression" rather than resort to bringing back the biff, as suggested by former NSW stars Ben Elias and Mark Geyer.

"It's got to be real controlled aggression now and I think NSW will try to bring that out for us," Myles added.

"We've just got to stand up and come back a little bit harder than they are.

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