Manly Sea Eagles: Jake, Tom Trbojevic both fit to play Storm in Round One
Any hope Manly coach Des Hasler had of playing mind games ahead of the Battle of Brookvale clash with rivals Melbourne have been shot after Tom Trbojevic confirmed key team news.
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Des Hasler likes to keep his cards close to his chest.
Unfortunately for the Manly coach, superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic may have just blown his hand after he he confirmed brother Jake as a starter in Sunday’s round one clash against the Melbourne Storm at Lottoland.
Jake suffered a shoulder injury last year which required surgery and he went under the knife in early November. Initially, it was expected the forward would miss the opening rounds of season 2020.
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“I reckon we’ll see him [Jake] out there which will be good, so it’s exciting. It’s good to be back. It has been a long pre-season as it has for everyone else. His recovery went really well and his shoulder has pulled up quite well, everyone has done a good job to get him back out there,” Trobjoevic said.
The fullback is making a comeback from his own injury on Sunday afternoon. Trbojevic suffered a pectoral tear against the Storm in round 24 last year.
“I’m feeling really fit and I’m ready to go, there’s no better way to start off the season for us than at Lottoland on Sunday arvo against Melbourne, it will be a good test,” Trbojevic said.
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Mammoth forward Haumole Olakauatu, who made his NRL debut off the bench in the 2019 finals series, has earned himself another selection in coach Des Hasler’s round one side.
Trbojevic is backing Olakauatu to cement a spot in the top 17 in season 2020.
“He played for us in a couple of games in the finals and went really well. He’s big and strong. He actually causes us a lot of trouble at training. He’s very deserving of the opportunity and I can’t wait to see him out there,” Trbojevic said.
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Up front Addin Fonua-Blake was also named to make a return from a shoulder injury. Both Fonua-Blake and Jake Trbojevic will play on Sunday without a trial match under their belt. It could mean more game time for Olakau'atu.
“It all depends, he can play back row and in the middle so it depends on how our backrowers and middles go — Jake and Addin obviously haven’t played much, they haven’t had a trial so it’ll be interesting to see how they go,” Trbojevic said.