Alonso to miss Australian Grand Prix

Fernando Alonso has been ruled out of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Source: Mark Thompson / Getty Images

TWO-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso will miss the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne after suffering concussion in a crash in testing.

"Fernando's doctors have recommended to him that, following the concussion he sustained in a testing accident at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 22nd, for the time being he should seek to limit as far as is possible any environmental risk factors that could potentially result in his sustaining another concussion so soon after his previous one, so as to minimise the chances of second impact syndrome, as is normal medical procedure when treating athletes after concussions," McLaren said in a statement. "In order to limit those environmental risk factors, specifically, his doctors have advised that he should not compete in the imminent Australian Grand Prix meeting, which will take place on March 13th, 14th and 15th.

"Fernando has understood and accepted that advice, and the two McLaren-Honda cars will therefore be driven in Australia by Fernando's teammate Jenson Button and the team's test and reserve driver Kevin Magnussen." The 33-year-old Spaniard crashed into a wall at the track in Barcelona when he ran wide on the final day of the second pre-season test and had to be air-lifted to hospital under sedation.

Alonso spent three nights in hospital before being released and as a result sat out the final testing session in Barcelona last week so as to rest and recuperate at home in the northern Spanish city of Oviedo.

McLaren remain hopeful that Alonso will be cleared to race in the second Grand Prix of the season in Malaysia on March 29. "Fernando's doctors acknowledge that he feels fit and well, and that he regards himself as ready to race, and, that being the case, they are comfortable with the fact that he has already recommenced physical training, with a view to preparing for a return to the cockpit of his McLaren-Honda car for the Malaysian Grand Prix meeting on March 27th, 28th and 29th," the statement continued. "Indeed, his doctors are supportive of that ambition, satisfied as they are that he sustained no damage whatsoever during his testing accident on February 22nd.

"All at McLaren-Honda fully support Fernando's decision in respect of his doctors' advice." Alonso has only just begun his second spell with the Woking-based team after an ill-fated one-season stint in 2007 when McLaren were expelled from the constructors' championship and fined a record $US100 million ($127.86 million) dollars for spying on confidential technical information from Ferrari.

On top of Alonso's crash, McLaren have endured significant reliability problems in testing with their new Honda-powered MP4-30 car.

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Typo has Thurston at sixes and sevens

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MICHAEL Morgan has staved off Lachlan Coote to win the Cowboys fullback spot as coach Paul Green revealed a team-sheet "typo" was behind Johnathan Thurston's shock naming at five-eighth.

Green appeared to have pulled another selection switch with Thurston when the Maroons champion was named in the No. 6 jumper for Saturday night's clash against the Roosters.

Thurston finished the second half of 2014 in the No. 7 jumper, and it appeared Green had conjured another selection surprise when he installed Robert Lui as halfback for Round 1.

Michael Morgan has beaten Lachlan Coote to the Cowboys fullback spot for round one. Source: Supplied

But Green assured Cowboys fans Thurston would remain in the No. 7 jumper, saying he would investigate how the Test star appeared at five-eighth in an official team list sent to the NRL.

"It's a typo," Green told The Courier-Mail on Tuesday.

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"I don't know who made the error and I'll be working out who made the mistake.

"But there's no tactical change, 'Johnno' will be playing in the No. 7 jumper and Robert Lui will be our five-eighth."

Green also maintained the status quo with the versatile Morgan, whose grip on the fullback spot appeared to be slipping after Lachlan Coote threw down the gauntlet in pre-season.

Returning from a knee reconstruction, Coote wore the No. 1 jumper in two trials against the Broncos and Titans and made it clear he had his heart set on claiming the fullback spot.

But Green said Morgan's outstanding form last year in the backfield was a factor in his difficult decision to leave Coote out of his 19-man squad.

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"That (Morgan's efforts in 2014) certainly came into consideration but it was also Cootey's form this year," he said.

"I'm not saying Lachlan was bad, but he's only played six games in two years, he's been out for 12 months and it will take him a bit longer to get back to his best.

"In pre-season, I wanted to get some footy into him without the pressure of the NRL.

"It was a tough call, but Cootey will play a part in our season at some stage, no doubt about it."

In other selection news, Storm recruit Justin O'Neill beat Kyle Feldt to a wing spot, while at hooker Rory Kostjasyn did well to hold off Jake Granville, who will play off interchange.

Up front, Broncos import Ben Hannant has clinched a starting spot at the expense of James Tamou, who is recovering from neck surgery.

"I have the luxury of picking on form," Green said. "It's up to guys who get that chance to keep it too because they have quality players underneath them."

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Benny’s bolter to take on Rabbitohs

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BRONCOS bolter Aaron Whitchurch overcame two years of heartache and an ugly contract spat to help launch Wayne Bennett's new era against Souths tomorrow night.

As revealed by couriermail.com.au, Bennett has taken one of the biggest gambles of his 27-year career, naming Whitchurch as his bench utility for Brisbane's showdown with the premiers at Suncorp Stadium.

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Sam Thaiday and Aaron Whitchurch at Red Hill. Picture: Annette Dew Source: News Corp Australia

Eighteen months ago, the 22-year-old was warned by doctors he might never play rugby league again after a spinal operation which saw him cut adrift by the Broncos.

When Whitchurch was thrown a lifeline by Bennett at Newcastle last year, only for the Knights to renege on the deal, he was entitled to fear his NRL career had hit a dead end.

But tomorrow night, Whitchurch is the poster boy for Bennett's Broncos resurrection, ousting Kodi Nikorima for the final spot on Brisbane's interchange bench.

The 100kg powerhouse played the last of his three NRL games in 2012 and has been rewarded by Bennett for fighting back from his medical and contractual sagas.

Whitchurch's manager Sam Ayoub last night detailed the contractual spat that left the former Australian Schoolboy in limbo and considering legal action against the Knights.

Wayne Bennett at Brisbane Broncos training. Picture: Darren England. Source: News Corp Australia

"Wayne was actually keen to sign Aaron to Newcastle," Ayoub told The Courier-Mail.

"Unfortunately, there was a shameful backflip by the officials there, but thankfully Aaron has hung in there and now he has the reward he deserves.

"We'd agreed to terms. Wayne was keen on him, but when we requested the contract to sign, the Knights never sent one.

"His family wanted to seek legal action, but Aaron didn't want that. Thankfully, the planets have aligned and he has been reunited with Wayne at the Broncos."

With his speed and robust frame, Whitchurch is capable of playing wing, centre or back row. He won major credit points during the Broncos' pre-season military camp, where Bennett was impressed with Whitchurch's attitude, leadership and team-first ethos.

As a teenager, Whitchurch was one of Queensland's hottest talents, scoring the Maroons' first ever try in the maiden under-20s State of Origin clash in 2012. But shortly after, he suffered a back injury which cost him a Broncos contract and crippled his career.

Aaron Whitchurch in action for Redcliffe Dolphins. Photo by Andrew Seymour. Source: News Corp Australia

"The doctors told him it was very unlikely he would ever play NRL again," Ayoub said.

"After the operation, he didn't want to risk getting injured again, he was about to get married and was going to focus on a career as a landscaper.

"But Aaron was always a committed kid and we knew he had the ability to bounce back if he was given the opportunity.

"As a junior, he was a standout. There's a saying you never forget how to ride a bike and Aaron never forgot how to play football."

Bennett backed Whitchurch to handle his Souths baptism, saying last night: "He's a great young talent, I'm really pleased for him."

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Merrin relegated to the Dragons bench

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PENRITH-bound prop Trent Merrin has been relegated to the Dragons bench for Monday night's season-opening clash against Melbourne.

Just 24 hours after announcing he would quit the Dragons at the end of this season to take up a lucrative three-year-deal — believed to be worth $750,000 a season — at the foot of the mountains, Merrin was named as part of a six-man Dragons bench for the WIN Jubilee Oval clash.

Trent Merrin listens to Wayne Bennett during NRL All Stars training at Runaway Bay. Pics Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

Instead of NSW Origin star Merrin, coach Paul McGregor has opted for new recruit and cult hero George Rose to make a shock start alongside Leeson Ah Mau in the front row.

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For the Storm, Cameron Smith has been named to make his return, despite battling an ankle injury.

Jordan McLean, who was involved in the tragic tackle on former Knights forward Alex McKinnon last year, has been named at prop.

In other round-one team news:

● DANNY Wicks, who spent time behind bars for drug trafficking, looks like he will have to wait another week for his NRL return despite being named on a six-man bench for Parramatta. Wicks has also been named in Wentworthville's NSW Cup side;

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● SOUTH Sydney coach Michael Maguire named a seven-man bench for the premiers' opener against the Broncos tomorrow night, including new recruit Tim Grant and in-form rookie Chris Grevsmuhl; and

● SHAUN Fensom lines up for the Raiders, which is a remarkable feat given knee surgery was expected to keep him out until May.

Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen will play, with Ben Barba and Michael Ennis stepping out in the club's colours the first time.

Gallen said of the Raiders, who travel to the Shire on Sunday: "They're an underrated side, they've got really big, strong forwards, and some really good outside backs who are on the edge of playing Origin.''

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Smith on the brink of a surprise return

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MELBOURNE Storm skipper Cameron Smith says he will put his hand up to play in Monday night's season opener against St George Illawarra if his ankle pulls up well on Thursday.

The star hooker completed a full training session yesterday as he pushed his case for selection, just less than three months after undergoing ankle surgery.

Smith said he got through the session well, but Thursday would be the true test.

Cam Smith enjoys a tag drill with team mate Billy Slater. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: News Corp Australia

"I have a day off tomorrow (Wednesday) and I think the medical staff and (coach) Craig (Bellamy) are quite keen to see how it pulls up when I get in on Thursday, and myself too," Smith said.

"I'd like to think it'll be feeling OK, but it really comes down to what the medical staff think of the recovery of the ankle.

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"And also whether they think it can get through 80 minutes this week."

The Storm captain said the decision would be made on Thursday.

"At the moment I've just got my fingers crossed that it feels good come Thursday," he said. "They will still be monitoring it over the next few days after that, but if it does (pull up well) then I'll be definitely putting my hand up to play.

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"And, I think Craig has already indicated that if it feels all right on Thursday I will be playing."

Smith would probably play on one leg, but said he would listen to the advice of medical staff.

"The main thing for us is we don't want to go silly early and try and force me into playing," he said.

"I think I would, but the coach certainly doesn't and the medical staff don't, because it can create further issues down the track."

Smith, who was speaking at Rebel Sport for Shock Doctor yesterday to promote mouth guard awareness for kids, said he had no issue taking the goalkicking duties if he played on Monday night after taking "20 kicks" yesterday.

Melbourne last night put out its Round 1 team with Smith named at hooker and young forward Felise Kaufusi picked to make his debut off the bench.

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Pressure on to let five accused play

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THE NRL and Gold Coast Titans are under mounting pressure to reinstate the five players stood down in the club's cocaine crisis after a submission was made to the code's Integrity Unit.

The move comes as it emerged the five players have been completing secret training sessions at a Burleigh gym to ensure they are ready to play if called upon.

The Titans are set to be without star trio Beau Falloon, Greg Bird and Dave Taylor for Saturday's season-opener against Wests Tigers at Cbus Super Stadium as they await court appearances over the next week.

Gold Coast Titans player Greg Bird reports to Southport Police Station to be fingerprinted. Picture Glenn Hampson Source: News Corp Australia

Falloon, the Gold Coast's reigning player of the year, will appear in Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow to face four counts of supplying a dangerous drug along with utility Jamie Dowling, who has been charged with seven counts of possession and two counts of supplying.

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State of Origin representatives Bird and Taylor will appear next Monday along with winger Kalifa Faifai Loa.

The five players have been stood down indefinitely by the club but the Titans and NRL are being urged to make them available for selection, possibly before the Tigers game.

High-profile criminal lawyer Campbell MacCallum — who is representing Bird, Taylor, Dowling and Faifai Loa — wrote to NRL Integrity Unit chief Nick Weeks on Monday requesting the code consider making the players available for selection for Round 1.

Falloon's lawyer, prominent Gold Coast identity Chris Nyst, has written to Titans boss Graham Annesley requesting the same.

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MacCallum has indicated his clients intend on pleading not guilty and it is expected their cases will be adjourned at the first appearance.

Titans coach Neil Henry named an understrength 18-man squad for the Tigers clash which includes six club debutants — Matt Robinson, Lachlan Burr, Josh Hoffman, Agnatius Paasi, Eddy Pettybourne and Kierran Moseley. Burr (Canterbury), Paasi (New Zealand) and Moseley (Penrith) have each only played one NRL match.

Moseley will be given a baptism of fire, thrust into a daunting battle against NSW Origin star Robbie Farah.

Vice-captain William Zillman won the race for the No. 1 jersey, with Broncos recruit Josh Hoffman to start at left centre.

Henry will alternate the pair between the two positions during the match.

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