Northern Pride: Daniel Woodhouse, Mark Rosendale, push for selection

NORTHERN Pride coach Ty Williams has fired a warning to his side’s outside backs to step up as two Cairns District Rugby League talents bang on the door for a shot in the Hostplus Cup.

NORTHERN Pride coach Ty Williams has fired a warning to his side’s outside backs to step up as two Cairns District Rugby League talents bang on the door for a shot in the Hostplus Cup.

Mark Rosendale started his season in the Pride squad, playing the side’s first eight games before being dropped for the clash with Souths Logan a fortnight ago.

Rosendale found himself back at the Edmonton Storm after being replaced in Williams’ first-choice 17 with an edict to work on defensive components of his game, and in two outings for the Storm has shown why he was deserving of the Hostplus Cup start.

Kangaroos flyer Daniel Woodhouse is yet to make his debut for the Pride, but is one of several talents who has impressed at the CDRL level but been unlucky not to get the nod as the Pride battled injury.

Kangaroos Daniel Woodhouse during the game against Tully at Vico Oval. Picture: Brian Cassey

Woodhouse, who played for Wanderers in FNQ Rugby before switching codes and starring for Kangaroos in the CDRL, spent the off-season with the Pride on a train-and-trial deal, then worked his way into a full-time contract.

Both men are highly rated by Williams and are the only names listed by the coach on the Pride’s extended bench for Saturday’s clash against premiers Norths Devils at Barlow Park.

Their presence in the 19-man squad, along with the impending return of Redcliffe recruit Will Partridge, means there is more pressure than ever on the outside backs.

Gideon Gela-Mosby and Shawn Bowen combined well against the Magpies, while Robert Derby and Bernard Lewis have done their selection hopes no harm.

But that hasn’t stopped Williams from calling for his troops to lift.

“It’s the luxury I have at the moment,” Williams said.

“Bowen and Mosby performed really well on that left edge, Marky missed out because of some defensive deficiencies, but it looks like he’s improving on that as we continue to work on that.

“I don’t think there’s any pressure on Marky, he just needs to keep performing the way he is. Those outside backs need to really step up. They know that Mark and Daniel Woodhouse have been pretty impressive … there’s a bit of heat there. Partridge could be back this or next week.”

YOUNG GUNS’ FACE BIG CHALLENGE

TWO Northern Pride young guns will face one of the toughest challenges of their careers so far when defending Hostplus Cup premiers Norths Devils come to Cairns on Saturday night.

The bye could not have come at a better time for the Pride who are preparing for two bruising weeks, when they host the Devils and PNG Hunters in successive weeks.

Young pair Ewan Moore and Kenneth Fonoti have been named in the back row, and could find themselves coming up against Norths' powerhouse duo Brendan Piakura and Leivaha Pulu.

But Pride coach Ty Williams has backed his boys to step up, while putting the onus on himself and the club’s coaching staff to devise a gameplan which minimises their impact.

“They’re physically a big team, we need to play smart by utilising our speed,” Williams said. “Those two boys (Moore and Fonoti) have very good footwork at the line.

“If we’re going to do silly stuff like try to run up and down, we’re probably going to get bashed off the park.

“We need to structure our game plan and get them around to those areas.

Ewan Moore at Northern Pride pre-season training. Picture: Brendan Radke

The destructive Devils duo are part of what is a physically imposing forward pack, which could also feature Broncos duo Rhys Kennedy and veteran Ryan James, in the front row, with skilful Michael Sio steering the ship from dummy-half.

Kennedy and James were named in the Broncos’ reserves for Saturday night’s clash with the Raiders, but there is a chance they will travel to Barlow Park with the Devils.

And if they board the plane, Pride’s bruising front-rowers Paea Pua and Nick Lui-Toso will be waiting, ready and raring to rip in.

“The guys through the middle, it’s a good test for Paea Pua and Nick Lui-Toso against the guys that are currently in the NRL system at the Broncs,” Williams said.

“You’ll see that challenge accepted pretty quickly and the boys will focus, and be ready to rip in.”

Norths are fourth on the Hostplus Cup ladder with six wins from nine games, but enter the round 11 clash after two straight losses to fellow title contenders Sunshine Coast and Brisbane Tigers.

Kenneth Fonoti. Picture: Emily Barker

Saturday’s clash with the Pride will be the first time in a month they have played a team outside of the top six, though it will be no easy feat.

The Pride finished ninth last season, but pushed Norths to the brink in a tight 13-12 classic in driving rain the last time they met in Cairns.

This year’s Pride have struggled to string together wins to start the season, with three wins and one draw from their nine games to date. A win is crucial for the Pride, who are one point outside what is becoming a heavily congested race for the top eight.

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Originally published as Northern Pride: Daniel Woodhouse, Mark Rosendale, push for selection