The Bull Sharks are set to unleash wrecking ball Matt Dalton off the bench against Wests on Saturday after the Irishman overcame a bout of illness to hold his spot in the side.
The Northern Irishman had an immediate impact when he came off the bench in the 23-14 victory over GPS at The Canal on Saturday, just days after touching down from the United Kingdom.
The former Ireland Under 20s representative, who plays professionally for the Newcastle Falcons, spent the 2019 season with the Bull Sharks before the Covid-19 pandemic ruled him out of the past two seasons.
Bull Sharks coach Grant Anderson said the 118kg, 198cm powerhouse could be an ace up his sleeve against Wests at their Toowong base.
“It is great to have him back at the club,’’ he said.
“He’s been a bit sick this week but he’s overcoming that and is ready to go and we’ll use him off the bench again.
“We feel his size and physicality can be a factor in the latter part of the game.’’
The undefeated Bull Sharks sit fourth on the ladder with a game in hand having already had their bye and can consolidate their position with victory over the fifth placed Wests.
They have been forced to make two changes to the side that defeated grand finalists GPS last weekend.
Wilson Blyth has joined brother Angus in the Reds’ touring party to New Zealand for their Super Rugby clash with the Blues at Eden Park.
Reds coach Brad Thorn has recalled Angus Blyth to the run-on side to resume his partnership with Ryan Smith in the back row.
Anderson said although the younger Blyth would be missed against the Bulldogs, the experience he would gain from touring with a Super Rugby side would help his development.
“It is a great opportunity for him,’’ he said.
His position has been filled by Simon Anu while fullback Jayden Nganmu has also been ruled out due to illness and has been replaced by Abele Atunaisia.
Round four matches between GPS and Sunnybank and Brothers and Souths have been postponed until the bye weekend on 9 July, due to the weather in South East Queensland.
However, the Bull Sharks’ clash with Wests and the Easts v Norths fixtures are still proceeding.
Stay tuned to the Bull Sharks social media pages for updates as the situation has the potential to change.