Wests Tigers hit with cruel blow to Daine Laurie
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 13: Daine Laurie of the Tigers disappointed after dropping the ball resulting in an Eels try during the round fourteen NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers at Bankwest Stadium on June 13, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Steven Markham/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire RUGBY: JUN 13 NRL Rd 14 - Eels v Wests Tigers Icon2106130869
Wests Tigers have been hit by a major blow to fullback star Daine Laurie.
The Tigers overcame the South Sydney Rabbitohs, 23-22, in a thriller over the weekend, but will have to make do without one of their brightest sparks for almost two months.
“It might be two weeks,” Maguire said after the match. “Even now and then you get lucky.”
However, those hopes were dashed when news of the scan came back, with Laurie suffering an MCL tear.
It means that Starford To’a, who played well at fullback in Laurie’s absence, will be given the nod. He shifted from centre but said he had only spent limited time playing in the role.
“There are things I can do more to get involved when I’m playing fullback,” To’a told the Daily Telegraph.
“I thought the boys responded to me. I haven’t spent a lot of time there. I’m at a couple of meetings a week but there aren’t too many times I’m training at fullback. I’m comfortable there. I know how to play fullback. I’ll get more comfortable there.
“Daine could be missing for a couple of weeks, I’m ready to step up into that role and lead the boys around.”