Wolves ready for Dureau to play (From Warrington Guardian)

Warrington Wolves prepared for surprise appearance of Scott Dureau

1:18pm Thursday 10th May 2012 in Wolves news By Christopher Terris Taylor

WOLVES are preparing to tackle two Catalan Dragons sides this weekend – one that features star half back Scott Dureau and one that does not!

The 25-year-old Australian, who signed a three-year contract extension with Dragons last week, suffered a knee injury in his side’s 27-20 defeat of deposed league leaders Huddersfield Giants on Saturday.

Reports from France are saying the injury is likely to keep the ex-Newcastle Knights playmaker out of action for at least two weeks.

Dureau has been influential in his side’s success so far this term, helping them to fourth in the Super League table and with a chance of going level at the top once they play their game in hand.

Micky Higham believes that his absence could be a boost for Warrington as they look to avenge their 44-16 mauling in Perpignan earlier in the season.

“He is a big cog for them. He gets their pack around the park and threatens off the back of that,” he said.

“His running game and his kicking game make him very key to them and he has been their stand-out player this year.

“He would be a big loss for them.”

Head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith is not convinced that Dureau’s injury will rule him out of the make-or-break cup tie on Sunday.

Smith will prepare his players for any eventuality.

“He is a terrific player, only time will tell whether they miss him or not,” said Smith.

“We will be ready if he does happen to play.

“Funnier things have happened, where things have been reported slightly differently and turn out another way.

“But we know how they play with him and without him, so we will be ready either way.”

French international Thomas Bosc switched from the wing to the playmaking role in place of Dureau during the weekend’s seventh home success of the season.