Bird returns to tackle Sharks
Adam Gardini | 21/06/2011 1:02:05 PM
NSW State of Origin representative Greg Bird will make a timely return to the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans’ starting line-up for Saturday night’s home clash against his former club the Cronulla Sharks at Skilled Park.
Jetstar Titans Coach John Cartwright today named Bird in the back row and forwards Luke O’Dwyer and Brenton Lawrence on an extended six-man bench to take on the Sharks in the wake of last Friday night’s disappointing 31-8 loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Bird, who spent seven seasons with the Sharks from 2002-08, missed the Rabbitohs clash after being unable to back-up due to soreness following the second Origin match last Wednesday night but returns to add some grunt in both attack and defence.
In other team changes, back rower Anthony Laffranchi will push up into the front row while utility O’Dwyer and prop Brenton Lawrence, who has been playing for Queensland Cup feeder club Burleigh Bears, have been named on an interchange bench with two to be omitted.
The Jetstar Titans have won three from six match matches against the Sharks, with those three wins all coming in matches played on the Gold Coast.
JETSTAR TITANS v CRONULLA SHARKS
Saturday, June 25 - 5.30pm, Skilled Park
1 William Zillman
2 Steve Michaels
3 Clinton Toopi
4 Joseph Tomane
5 David Mead
6 Preston Campbell
7 Scott Prince
8 Luke Bailey
9 Matt Srama
10 Anthony Laffranchi
11 Greg Bird
12 Mark Minichiello
13 Ashley Harrison
INTERCHANGE
14 Matthew White
15 Michael Henderson
16 Bodene Thompson
17 Ben Ridge
18 Brenton Lawrence
19 Luke O'Dwyer
http://www.titans.com.au/default.asp...-tackle-sharks