St George Illawarra coach Wayne Bennett has resisted the temptation to name Nathan Fien in an experimental line-up for Sunday's rendezvous with the Sydney Roosters.Fien, who was expected to return after his successful comeback in the NSW Cup competition last week, has been left out of Bennett's 19-man squad, but is still a slight chance of earning a late call-up for the Sydney Cricket Ground clash.Bennett has been guilty of playing mind games in the past, and looks to be up to his old tricks after leaving the New Zealand international out of the Shellharbour Dragons team list for their match against Auckland at Ron Costello Oval on Saturday.
Full coverage of the Dragons Shellharbour coach Terry Gilogley said Fien, who played 40 minutes in his first match back from injury, was purposely left out of his side and could still play in either match."I was talking to Pricey (St George Illawarra assistant coach Steve Price) this morning and he said Wayne's just going to wait and see," he said."They haven't made a decision yet."Rather than bringing Fien into a team struggling to score points, Bennett has opted to start with Dean Young at hooker.The 26-year old has recovered from the hamstring injury which ruled him out of last week's match against Brisbane and has relegated Luke Priddis to a six-man bench.Just five weeks before the finals, Bennett will again tinker with his side in an attempt to find the right formula for football in September.Michael Weyman will play his first match since he was suspended in round 16 against the Tigers and will partner Neville Costigan, who is yet to start at prop in seven years in the top grade.Mark Gasnier will again run out for the opening whistle and will wear the No 3 jumper for the first time since his return, allowing Beau Scott to shift into his familiar role in the second row.Matt Prior is the biggest victim of the reshuffle and has been named to come off the bench, allowing Jeremy Smith to lock the scrum.Sydney Roosters could be without in-form back-rower Mitchell Aubusson, who injured his left shoulder in his side's emphatic 48-12 victory against the Parramatta Eels last Saturday night.Coach Brian Smith named the free-running 22-year-old in his starting line-up but will closely monitor his fitness in the build-up to Sunday's match.
