Ah Mau bound for Denver as rep drain on Dragons worsens
Competition leaders St George Illawarra's forward stocks are about to be stretched further with Leeson Ah Mau in line for a shock call-up to New Zealand.
Ah Mau has been in such red-hot form the Kiwis have sounded him out about pulling on the jersey for the first time at the age of 28.
The front-rower was expected to line up in the Pacific Test for Samoa at Campbelltown on Saturday, June 23, but Fairfax Media understands he will instead board the plane to Denver to play against an England side that includes Dragons teammates James Graham and Gareth Widdop.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor now faces the reality of having only two fresh forwards, Cameron McInnes and Jeremy Latimore, for the round 16 clash against Parramatta on Thursday, June 28.
Graham, Widdop and Ah Mau will not return to Sydney until two days before the Eels match at WIN Stadium, while Origin representatives Tyson Frizell, Jack de Belin, Paul Vaughan, Ben Hunt and possibly Tariq Sims will be on tired legs after game two.
It is a wonderful reward for Ah Mau, who will return to the Warriors next season.
Ah Mau is expected to be one of up to six fresh faces for the new-look New Zealand side.
The mass representative exodus places even more importance on the Dragons notching another victory against Manly at WIN Stadium on Saturday night.
Graham backed the Dragons, who sit just ahead of Penrith on the ladder at the halfway point of the season, to tap into their healthy forward depth.
"You only have to look at the guys who have come in and played off the bench for us, and are playing out of their skin in reserve grade," Graham said.
"I've witnessed that first hand at training with how hard they run and tackle.
"They've been banging down the coach's door for quite a while now.
"We've been in a strong position with injuries and suspensions and haven't been too affected, but that hasn't affect their desire to play in the first team.
"I can't forecast what will happen, but I know there are some guys there that are ready.''
Graham praised the Dragons for forking out big money to send head of athletic performance Nathan Pickworth to the US to help the players cope with the long-haul flight and ensure they are every chance to back up against Parramatta.
"It means a lot the club care enough to do that," Graham said.
"The message I got out of it is the club cares about their players so much they are willing to go to that length and expense to make sure the players involved in the Test are looked after the best way possible.
De Belin, one of 11 NSW debutants in the interstate series opener, is looking forward to the challenge of backing up from Origin again.
"If I get through fine, I definitely want to back up; I love playing club footy and see it as a nice challenge to get my mind right," de Belin said.
"Going from such a high from Origin to club footy can affect you a bit, but I was fine against the Bulldogs and see it is as another test."