Star duo return for Dolphins, but Stone ruled out
Starting hooker Jeremy Marshall-King returns from a thigh laceration and infection that led to him spending time in hospital, while lock Max Plath is back from a foot injury and is likely to start on the bench in Friday night's clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone has bravely carried a shoulder injury into battle with the team down on troops, but he has been rested to give the issue more time to heal.
Marshall-King suffered a deep gash to his leg in round six and took the field in round nine, but the wound became aggravated.
"He's ready to go," coach Kristian Woolf said.
"It's been a long time, but I don't think people realised how serious it was and how big the cut was.
"It was just the seriousness of the infection as well. He did a couple of stints in hospital on the IV drip and getting it flushed out.
"It's great to have him back. If you look at the last couple of years we haven't won a lot of games without Jeremy.
"I've been happy with the group over the last couple of weeks because we've started to learn how to do that."
Plath, last season's player of the year, injured a foot in round seven against Melbourne, which has also taken longer to heal than first thought.
The 23-year-old was in the frame to make his Queensland debut in game one of the State of Origin series before injury struck. That would appear unlikely in the short term until he gets some footy under his belt, but Woolf said a Maroons jersey was within Plath's grasp.
"(The injury) ended up being a lot more serious that we thought it was," the coach said.
"He is coming into this having not done a hell of a lot until the last couple of weeks.
"We're very confident in what he's going to be able to do for the team. He'll be on limited minutes.
"I've got no doubt he's a guy that will feature in the Origin frame at some stage.
"It's probably too early to be talking about that now. He needs to get a couple of games under his belt."
The Dolphins lost their opening four matches of the season but have recovered well to be on 12 points, just two behind the Dragons, who are in the eight.
"We're under no illusions at all," Woolf said.
"I know guys like (centre) Moses Suli really well and how dangerous he is. He's a strike player on the edge.
"(Second-rower) Luciano Leilua is the same. They have a physical pack and experience with guys like Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook.
"They're as dangerous as any team in the comp and we have to bring our best game."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Courier-Mail
8 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
Paul Gallen vs Sonny Bill Williams boxing live updates
Welcome to live coverage of the fight between retired footy greats, Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams. After years of trash talk and taunting, Cronulla Sharks legend Gallen and two-code great Williams are finally meeting in a boxing ring at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. Tszyu vs Fundora 2 & Pacquiao vs Barrios | SUN 20 JULY 10AM AEST | In the biggest fight of the year, Tim Tszyu faces Sebastian Fundora in a blockbuster rematch, plus Manny Pacquiao makes his highly anticipated return to the ring to face Mario Barrios. | Order now with Main Event on Kayo Sports. Despite the fact neither 43-year-old Gallen nor 39-year-old SBW have fought anyone since November 2022, there has still been strong interest in this long-awaited grudge match, particularly among rugby league fans. There appears to be a healthy dislike between the two fighters, who have traded insults and barbs ever since the fight was confirmed back in April. Sonny Bill Williams (left) and Paul Gallen (right) are finally meeting in the ring. (Photo by) They even took over the coverage of Game 3 of the State of Origin series, taking part in a live interview after the game when they did their best to shout each other down and increase interest in the bout. Gallen has the more accomplished record in the ring, while Kiwi Sonny Bill is the younger man and the favourite among the bookies. There are seven fights on the card, including the son of a boxing great, before the heavyweight main event is held over eight, two-minute rounds. We'll have all the big moments, including the undercard, for you right here. Originally published as Paul Gallen vs Sonny Bill Williams boxing live updates: Fans split by grudge match
News.com.au
8 hours ago
- News.com.au
Anthony Mundine calls out longtime rival Danny Green's son after Rahim Mundine scores KO win
Anthony Mundine has used the chance to take a shot at his long-time rival, Danny Green, after his son Rahim 'The Dream' Mundine won his second career fight by knockout. The son of Anthony and grandson of Tony Mundine, Rahim stepped back into the ring after injury ruined his dreams of playing NRL. And he had few troubles with Joe Vatusaqata (1-5 record) on Wednesday night. On the Sonny Bill Williams and undercard, Mundine was far too strong for Fijian boxer Vatusaqata, knocking him down twice in the second round before his corner threw in the towel. You can watch the vicious knockout in the player above. 'I went back to footy and hurt myself again, so I was like nah, I'm going back to boxing,' Mundine said after improving his record to 2-0. However, his post-fight interview quickly became a chance for the Mundines to reignite their beef with the Greens. Danny Green fought two massive fights against Anthony Mundine during their careers in the ring, splitting them 1-1. But that didn't stop Mundine accusing Danny of being scared of fighting again and instead called out Green's son Archie, who has never had a professional or amateur fight, to box his son Rahim. 'It makes sense (for his son to fight Archie),' Mundine said after his son improved to 2-0. 'I pumped Danny a couple of times; he doesn't want to admit it. He reckons he won the third fight, but he doesn't want to do it again. 'I said let's do it again, but he doesn't want to do it because he knows what's up, but our boys can do it.' Rahim added: 'He hasn't fought yet, but I'm sure if he does his job in the next five years and I keep doing what I'm doing, the Mundine last name can whoop the Green last name again, you know what I mean?' Danny Green – who was working in the commentary box for Stan Sport – fired back at Mundine. 'I'm a nice guy that's why I didn't take the third fight. You took 11 years to do the rematch you pelican,' Green said. 'I love you too much, I'd hurt you too much. So yeah, 100% and Choc can't count, the W is next to my name. Look what's going to happen in the future, our sons are going to carry on our legacies.' Archie Green was also open to the idea of fighting Rahim. 'At the moment I am 17 and I'm about 56kg and definitely I want to have a fight (at amateur level) before the end of this year,' Archie said. 'Down the track definitely, but I just want to make the trilogy 2 and 1.'
Sydney Morning Herald
8 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Sonny Bill Williams v Paul Gallen fight LIVE updates: Rugby league greats go face-to-face in the ring
Go to latest Good evening fight fans! It's the fight they said would never happen. But here we are, ringside at Qudos Bank Arena, for a grudge match that has been more than a decade in the making; Sonny Bill Williams versus Paul Gallen. The former footballers have clashed over everything from the length of the rounds to the gloves that will be used, threatening to scupper one of the most anticipated boxing events of the year. Given how many false starts there have been, it appeared this was never going to happen. However, the chance to finally settle the score - getting paid $1 million each may have also had something to do with it - means we are finally here. And we'll be there to bring you all the action as it happens. 7.28pm Green v Mundine IV? In undercard action, Rahim 'CJ' Mundine earned a second-round KO of Joe Vatusaqata in their super-middleweight clash. The son of Anthony Mundine then called out the son of Danny Green, Archie, a chance for a new generation to step into the Mundine-Green rivalry. Rahim was closing in on an NRL debut in 2021 while playing fullback for Souths, only to have his dreams dashed by a tackle from a young Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i. 'Early in that year a superstar, Joseph Sua'ali'i tackled me and I dislocated my left hip,' Mundine said. 'They said that was like a car-crash injury, that slowed me down a bit.' Mundine has switched his focus to boxing and has now earned his second victory and there is talk now of him going up against Archie Green, who is about to make his boxing debut. 'He's got a similar style to his dad, I've got a similar style to my dad,' Mundine said. 'Everyone knows what goes on when that happens. It would be like Connor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr, an Australian version. Anthony Mundine added: 'We want to make Green-Mundine money.' 7.24pm To get you in the mood, check out this fight teaser This is one of the best I have seen. The narrator is Temuera Morrison, aka Jake 'the Muss' (he was also a bounty hunter in Star Wars, some people get all the good gigs). Enjoy. 7.20pm Good evening fight fans! It's the fight they said would never happen. But here we are, ringside at Qudos Bank Arena, for a grudge match that has been more than a decade in the making; Sonny Bill Williams versus Paul Gallen. The former footballers have clashed over everything from the length of the rounds to the gloves that will be used, threatening to scupper one of the most anticipated boxing events of the year. Given how many false starts there have been, it appeared this was never going to happen. However, the chance to finally settle the score - getting paid $1 million each may have also had something to do with it - means we are finally here.
