Griffin may review rep rest policy - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Griffin may review rep rest policy

By Wayne Heming 30/05/2011 06:24:03 PM Comments (0)

Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin may ditch his representative rest policy for next month's potential NRL blockbuster against the club's former mentor Wayne Bennett and his table-topping St George Illawarra.

Griffin has so far stuck to his plan of not playing representative big guns Darren Lockyer, Sam Thaiday, Ben Hannant and the recently injured Justin Hodges immediately after Test and Origin duty.

But with Brisbane facing three teams currently outside the top eight starting the week after Origin II - there's a possibility Lockyer, Thaiday and Hannant could all take the field in the June 17 (round 15) showdown with last year's premiers at Suncorp Stadium.

Thaiday's groin is almost back to full strength, Hannant's calf issues are behind him and Lockyer is feeling fresher than he has in years after sitting out two NRL games as part of Griffin's blueprint to have his key men firing at the back end of the season.

The St George Illawarra clash is a potential gold mine for a Brisbane side fielding all their stars.

They will be up against their former coach and the Dragons boast the best supporter base in Brisbane of any Sydney club.

"If we get to the Dragons game and they're all in good shape and they've come through the Origin alright, we'll have a look at playing them," Griffin told AAP on Monday.

"We'll assess them before the Dragons game and there's a chance they'll play because they'll only have to back up the once.

"Because they've only had to play one game a week for the last month, they're all in pretty good nick."

Lockyer, already feeling the benefits of not backing up for two NRL games after last month's Test against the Kiwis and last week's opening Origin game, said Griffin had his total backing if he wanted to continue the rest policy.

"I haven't thought about it (playing against the Dragons) really," Lockyer told AAP.

"Hook (Griffin) made a decision at the start of the season and I don't think he's going to change that and I'm comfortable with it.

"I'm guided by him. I put my trust in him.

"I know it's only his first year as an NRL coach but he knows what he's doing and I'm very comfortable with that."

Lockyer said he'd spoken to stand-in skipper Corey Parker who was "sore and tired" after backing up 48 hours after Wednesday night's tough Origin win.

"Coming in here (training) today, I feel pretty fresh so I believe the benefits of what he (the coach) is doing will come at the back end of the season.

"I think that justifies what Hook is trying to do."

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