While Parramatta loan players George Jennings and Daniel Alvaro will be in the spotlight Vodafone Warriors interim head coach Todd Payten isn’t putting added pressure on them ahead of their club debuts in tonight’s Indigenous Round encounter with the Wests Tigers.
The 27-year-olds joined their new team in Terrigal on a four-week loan agreement just last Sunday.
Winger Jennings, who is filling the spot vacated by Ken Maumalo, will be playing his 29th career match and only his second game this season while front rower Alvaro, an 88-gamer, is on the bench after being on the field for just seven minutes in his only appearance for the Eels this year.
The pair have had three field sessions with the Vodafone Warriors this week.
Payten said the pair have straightforward assignments.
We don't expect them to do anything out of the ordinary
Todd Payten Vodafone Warriors interim head coach
“We don’t expect them to do anything out of the ordinary,” he said.
“With George, we need him to be strong out of the backfield and make smart defensive decisions.
“For Daniel, we just need him to do his part from the defensive end, move well and make his tackles, and, as a front rower, most of all, take the ball forward and play the ball fast.
“This week we’ve stripped it back as much as we can for those two players coming in. I expect them to get out there and do their jobs.”
Payten said introducing two new players at this stage of the season had been manageable.
“It can be difficult (with new players coming in). Those guys have had a lot thrown at them. But it also has its advantages. They come in with a lot of enthusiasm and want to impress.”
Payten said the Vodafone Warriors were still able to bring in more loan players. Having lost two wingers and two middle forwards this week as well as Leivaha Pulu earlier in the month, he said the club was able to replace “like for like.”
However, he added it had been difficult getting more players “over the line.”
