Nice flick...Jono Wright in action against the Dragons at the Auckland Nines.
A strong performance against Australian Test player Blake Ferguson at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday night will go a long way towards Jono Wright securing the left centre position for the opening round of the Telstra Premiership.
Wright has retained the starting position at left centre for the Community Cup trial against the Sydney Roosters following a solid performance in the trial win over South Sydney at Campbelltown Sports Stadium last Saturday night.
Sea Eagles Coach Trent Barrett will also give Brian Kelly his chance to impress at left centre against the Roosters. Kelly has been named at left centre for Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles in their NSW Intrust trial against Wyong Roos prior to the NRL trial. Kelly played on the wing in the win over Souths.
“Trent told me at the start of the pre-season there were a few opportunities in the side now and that if I work hard, I could nail down one of the spots. This trial against the Roosters is another crack at securing the left centre position,’’ Wright said.
“I have enjoyed building combinations on the left side with Jorge Taufua and Blake Green. It will be a good test against some quality opposition in Blake Ferguson and (winger) Shaun Kenny-Dowall in Gosford.
“Jorge is very professional and it has been a pleasure to work alongside him instead of trying to tackle him as he is a really strong runner of the ball.
“We have learnt so much from Blake. He brings calmness to the side. You just know with Blake that he will do his job out there for the team.”
Wright says his preferred position is left centre despite the ability of being able to play on both sides.
“I used to only play one side when I was younger but when I was coming through the grades at Parramatta, my (then) coach Daniel Anderson said that I should always try to learn to play both sides,’’ Wright added.
“Being able to play both sides also has a downside because you do get moved around a lot in terms of positions.
“I am more than happy now to be on the left side and hopefully all goes well against the Roosters and I can secure that starting left centre position for round one against Parramatta at Lottoland."
Community Cup
Gates Open: 2:15 pm
Holden Cup trial: 2:30 pm: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Sydney Roosters
Intrust Super Cup trial: 4:20 pm: Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles v Wyong Roos
NRL trial: 6:30 pm: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Sydney Roosters
Buy tickets here
Sea Eagles team
1 Tom Trbojevic 2 Jorge Taufua 3 Dylan Walker 4 Jono Wright 5 Akuila Uate 6 Blake Green 7 Daly Cherry-Evans (c) 8 Brenton Lawrence 9 Api Koroisau 10 Martin Taupau 11 Frank Winterstein 12 Curtis Sironen 13 Jake Trbojevic Interchange: 14 Lewis Brown 15 Addin Fonua-Blake 16 Jarrad Kennedy 17 Nate Myles
Roosters team
1 Michael Gordon 2 Daniel Tupou 3 Latrell Mitchell 4 Blake Ferguson 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6 Luke Keary 7 Mitchell Pearce 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9 Jake Friend (c) 10 Isaac Liu 11 Ryan Matterson 12 Mitchell Aubusson 13 Aiden Guerra Interchange: 14 Dylan Napa 15 Kane Evans 16 Paul Carter 17 Connor Watson
Please note: The match will not be broadcast or live streamed with live updates on our Twitter and Facebook accounts. The only way to catch the all the action is to get to Central Coast Stadium this Saturday.
