David Bird
07-01-06, 10:31 PM
PENRITH coach John Lang says he won't be rushed into choosing a new captain for 2006.
The Panthers are looking for a new skipper after halfback Craig Gower was stripped of the job this week after his misbehaviour at a charity golf day on the Sunshine Coast last month.
Lang said he would decide the man to lead the Panthers' charge in 2006 next week, although Tony Puletua is hotly tipped to get the nod.
"I'm not even thinking about it," said Lang.
"We don't start playing for six weeks, and that's only a trial.
"I don't want to go racing in announcing a captain. I want to let things settle down. With due respect to Craig, I don't want to go racing in trying to find a replacement.
"There's no rush at all."
Manly's Des Hasler is another coach in no hurry to announce a captain for the new season.
"It's not a priority, not a pressing issue," said Hasler. "We've still got five weeks of training before the trials start.
"I'll make the decision when I'm ready."
Last season's skipper Michael Monaghan is vying for Manly honours along with former captain Steve Menzies, Ben Kennedy and new signing Matt Orford.
The Daily Telegraph
By Glenn Jackson
January 7, 2006
Source (http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17749192-23214,00.html)
The Panthers are looking for a new skipper after halfback Craig Gower was stripped of the job this week after his misbehaviour at a charity golf day on the Sunshine Coast last month.
Lang said he would decide the man to lead the Panthers' charge in 2006 next week, although Tony Puletua is hotly tipped to get the nod.
"I'm not even thinking about it," said Lang.
"We don't start playing for six weeks, and that's only a trial.
"I don't want to go racing in announcing a captain. I want to let things settle down. With due respect to Craig, I don't want to go racing in trying to find a replacement.
"There's no rush at all."
Manly's Des Hasler is another coach in no hurry to announce a captain for the new season.
"It's not a priority, not a pressing issue," said Hasler. "We've still got five weeks of training before the trials start.
"I'll make the decision when I'm ready."
Last season's skipper Michael Monaghan is vying for Manly honours along with former captain Steve Menzies, Ben Kennedy and new signing Matt Orford.
The Daily Telegraph
By Glenn Jackson
January 7, 2006
Source (http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17749192-23214,00.html)