The Wests Tigers have suffered a significant injury setback, with the club confirming that fullback Daine Laurie will be out for a few weeks with an MCL injury.
The former Panther has been a livewire at fullback for the club, but will now be sidelined for between four and six weeks.
After a harrowing first month, the Tigers have looked to have turned a corner, rattling off back-to-back wins against the Eels and Rabbitohs.
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Queensland coach Billy Slater said the club should be encouraged with their second half performance, which was without Laurie on the field, on Saturday night.
“I suppose that’s testament to where the Tigers are at now, he didn’t play in the second half so they moved [Starford] To’a to fullback and they still held on and won the game.” he said on Wide World of Sports’ Billy’s Breakdown.
Obviously Slater knows a thing or two about fullbacks, and was full of praise for the now-injured No.1.
“He’s a spark, throws a really nice pass – he set up [David] Nofoaluma for the first try on the weekend,” he said.
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Slater was also full of praise for Jackson Hastings, whose return to the team and newfound ownership of the No.7 jersey had yielded immediate success.
“The common denominator is Jackson Hastings,” he said.
“He just gives the players and the team so much belief – he directs them around the field, he’s the on-field captain, that’s for sure. I know they’ve got a whole heap of captains but he’s the general when he plays.
“It frees up Luke Brooks who looks like he’s got a new lease on life with Jackson Hastings by his side and they look like they’re enjoying themselves for once.”
The Tigers are suddenly feeling a lot better about their prospects for the season – despite the Laurie setback.
He’ll be absent for games against the Dragons, Sea Eagles and Cowboys, and is likely to return when they play the Bulldogs on May 20, or their rematch against the Rabbitohs on May 28.
If the Tigers opt to rest him until after their bye, he’ll come back on June 12 against Manly.
“I’m really happy for Michael Maguire, he’s obviously stuck with his team, he’s been very loyal publicly with his players,” Slater said.
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