It may have come as a shock when Tyrell Fuimaono was named in the centres for the St George Illawarra Dragons upcoming clash, but his teammates have backed the 24-year-old to shine in the new position.
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Typically a middle or edge forward, Fuimaono has been thrown into the backline as the Dragons scramble to cover a growing injury toll.
Emerging star Zac Lomax is set to spend up to six weeks on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a dislocated thumb, while Brayden Williame is battling a calf strain. He has no time frame for a return to fitness.
Coach Anthony Griffin's options were further limited by the suspension of both Mikaele Ravalawa and Jordan Pereira.
He could have turned to a number of inexperienced rookies, including shifting 20-year-old Max Feagai to centre and handing his twin Mat Feagai an NRL debut on the wing. Mat has been named in the initial 21-man squad.
Instead Griffin opted for the steady hands of Fuimaono as St George Illawarra attempt to end a three-game losing streak when they host the Bulldogs at Kogarah.
"He can move really well for a big man," teammate Tariq Sims said. "He's no stranger to being out on an edge, he's played edge back rower before. With the centres, when he's got a bit more time with the ball, he'll do really well.
"He's got Benny (Hunt) on the inside of him, the boys on the outside of him, they're going to add to his class. He's got a job to do, he's under no illusions. It's going to be tough but if someone's up to it, it's going to be him."
Fuimaono will likely line up on the right side of the field on Sunday afternoon, with Jack Bird remaining on his preferred left flank.
While he has not made a career of playing in the centres, Fuimaono did train there at times throughout the pre-season.
That has Bird confident the big man will thrive, however he won't hold back in offering some pointers.
"Tyrell played a bit of centre when he was younger," Bird said. I'm confident he can do the job. It's a little bit different to the middle so he's excited and so are we.
"We've got a few injuries, we don't really have much depth in that position at the moment, but I'm confident Tyrell can do a job for us.
"I'll have a talk to him this week, he's played it before and kind of knows what he's doing, but I'll try help him as much as I can. He's excited, he's jumping out of his skin to get out there and play in the centres."
The Dragons did receive positive news on the injury front earlier this week, Cody Ramsey cleared of fractured ribs.
The winger remains in doubt for Sunday's match, however he's doing everything he can to ensure he's on the field this weekend.
"There was no fracture, just cartilage so that's alright," Ramsey said. "I'll keep rehabbing it and see how I am on Sunday.
"I've just got to rest, that's the only thing you can do with something like this. Rest and recover, that's what I'll be doing."
St George Illawarra general manager Ben Harran provided an injury update on Wednesday afternoon, labelling Lomax's surgery a success.
"Everything went to plan as was expected," Harran said. "We expect that to be approximately six weeks return to play for Zac."
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