Dyldam Parramatta Eels centre Michael Jennings says the absence of Blue and Gold winger Semi Radradra has not affected the team’s preparations ahead of this weekends Round 17 clash against the top-of-the-table Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
With Radradra granted additional leave time for his trip to Fiji over the NRL bye, Jennings is confident his left-edge partner will be ready come game time.
“We have been told he will be back Friday, so he will be back,” Jennings said.
“Semi is a natural athlete, I think for himself, he could warm up and he would be ready to play. For him, it is just about getting back, and for us, it doesn’t really distract us. We are just really focused on what we need to do.”
With news earlier in the week that Kieran Foran had been relieved of his captaincy duties for the remainder of the season, Jennings said it was not an issue for the side, with the focus on Foran’s wellbeing.
“Foz will be disappointed but Beau has been doing a good job with the captaincy,” Jennings said.
“Foz is not playing so it is probably good that Beau gets that opportunity to captain the team.”
“He has been good, I got back to training on Monday, and he has been really good. He is trying to get his shoulder right, doing his rehab and he is going alright,” Jennings added.
“He is fine where he is at at the moment, but now he is finding the right headspace and getting back into that routine.”
The Eels kick off against the Sharks at 7.30pm on Saturday, July 2, at Southern Cross Group Stadium in the 2016 Johnny Mannah Cup.
