Good news for st george illawarra dragons : he is back

Mythical serpents surge Leilua back, Schuster to return for Ocean Hawks in save review

Luciano Leilua will be hurried straight back into the Dragons’ side for his to begin with coordinate in unused colours as coach Shane Flanagan plans to unleash the club’s greatest enlist of its modern time.

In spite of perplexing early season forecasts with a thumping win over the Titans in Flanagan’s to begin with coordinate in charge, the premiership-winning coach won’t squander any time in bringing Leilua into the overlap after he served a one-match boycott for a drink driving offense.

The 27-year-old hasn’t played an NRL coordinate since September, but joined St George Illawarra final month after the Cowpokes concurred to give the Samoan worldwide an early discharge from his bargain in Townsville.

The NRL at first proposed Leilua serve a two-match boycott for a low-range drink-driving charge after fronting a Townsville court prior this year. Leilua did not inform North Queensland of the offense.

But the Winged serpents had the suspension split on request, clearing the way for Leilua to begin his moment spell at the club in a round-two clash against Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins.

He will at that point confront the Cattle rustlers the taking after week as the Winged serpents start the season with three matches against Queensland sides.

Leilua’s return will be a welcome migraine for Flanagan, who utilized Bulldogs enlist Beam Faitala-Mariner on an edge in their comprehensive win over Des Hasler’s Gold Coast.

Hame Sele (hamstring) and Blake Lawrie (ribs) will be observed all through the week as Flanagan trusts to proceed the Dragons’ positive begin to the season.

“It’s my to begin with ever circular one win,” Faitala-Mariner said. “I’ve taken note the boys are a tight gather. Having Benny Chase there and him taking Kyle Flanagan beneath his wing [has made a difference]. I thought Sloany [Tyrell Sloan] was great at the back.

“Once those boys have clarity in what they’re doing, we’re fair filling in our parts and remaining in our lane.”

Whereas Leilua will be parachuted into the NRL side, the Ocean Hawks will keep another highly-paid back-rower on ice from the NRL squad for one more week with Josh Schuster to form his return to rugby alliance with Manly’s NSW Glass partner Blacktown Specialists.

Schuster missed the Ocean Eagles’ trip to Las Vegas having had an hindered pre-season since Christmas with chickenpox, a broken finger and a calf strain.

He will include for Blacktown against the Chickens at Brookvale on Sunday.