How do you stop a Coal Train? A case of the chickenpox has succeeded where many an NRL defender has failed.
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Canberra Raiders recruit Dave Taylor's terrible run of luck continued, with the man mountain struck down by a virus when he went to catch the bus to Sydney to play NSW Cup for the Mounties.
He was named in the Green Machine's 21 to face the Sydney Roosters at Canberra Stadium on Sunday, but dropped out of the squad along with centre Brent Naden.
Former Raider Mitch Cornish could still make his Roosters debut, keeping his spot in the 19 with Victor Radley and Brock Gray the two players cut.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart was gutted for Taylor, who had just recovered from a niggling calf injury. Taylor is off contract at the end of the season.
"Dave Taylor, as of yesterday afternoon, has got chickenpox. I feel so sorry for him," Stuart told the ABC.
"I know he's fairly disheartened because I know he's had an ongoing calf injury that hasn't allowed him to play and we wanted to give him an extra two weeks to make sure we could do everything from a medical point of view to get it as strong and as healthy as possible.
"He's had a really good week of training. He's turned up to get on the bus with a fever and he's contracted chickenpox so he's just having a run of really bad luck.
"Let's hope this is the last bad piece of bad luck for him and he can get into the back end of the season for us.
"I know what he can do, it's just a matter of physically getting him on the field. The only area he needs to improve on is match fitness and it's very hard when you're not playing."
Meanwhile, Raiders utility Jordan Turner joined Super League club Huddersfield Giants on a 3??-year contract, effective immediately.
He joined the Green Machine on a two-year deal at the start of the season, but didn't manage to crack his NRL debut.
"I've enjoyed my time with the Raiders and will take the experience with me as I return to the Super League," Turner said.
"I want to thank everyone at the Raiders and most of all the players for making me feel welcome while I've been in Canberra."
NRL ROUND 12
Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at Canberra Stadium, 4pm. Tickets available from Ticketek. The jerseys will be auctioned at allbids.com.au.
Raiders squad: 1. Jack Wighton, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Blake Austin, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Junior Paulo, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Shannon Boyd, 11. Joe Tapine, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Sia Soliola. Interchange: 14. Adam Clydsdale, 15. Luke Bateman, 16. Clay Priest, 17. Dunamis Lui. Reserves: 19. Scott Sorensen, 21. Lachlan Croker.
Roosters squad: 1. Michael Gordon, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Mitchell Aubusson, 5. Joseph Manu, 6. Connor Watson, 7. Luke Keary, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Jake Friend (c), 10. Kane Evans, 11. Ryan Matterson, 12. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 13. Zane Tetevano. Interchange: 14. Isaac Liu, 15. Lindsay Collins, 16. Chris Smith, 17. Mitchell Cornish. Reserves: 18. Nat Butcher, 20. Eloni Vunakece.
