Agar hopes captaincy will help Poore keep his temper in check

The New South Wales State of Origin prop has been sent off twice in his opening 12 games since joining from Parramatta Eels, both times for punching after some form of provocation.

Head coach Richard Agar has subsequently urged him to watch his temper but, when the front-row returns from his latest suspension tomorrow, he will have added responsibility, too.

Captain Danny Kirmond and vice-captain Richard Mathers are missing, giving Poore his chance at leadership while Jon Molloy is set for his debut, having joined following the strange circumstances of his aborted move to Salford City Reds.

The second-row, 22, only moved there on a three-year deal from Huddersfield Giants last month, but soon saw his contract torn up. He is now relishing the chance to kick-start his career after a serious knee injury.

With stand-off Paul Sykes (head) injured, Agar also gives a debut to Dan Maskill, the 17-year-old son of former Wakefield and Leeds hooker Colin, who is on his coaching staff, plus fellow teenage academy product Ben Shulver.

“We are going to play two players out of our under-19s,” said Agar.

“Ben Shulver will play first grade on Saturday and he’s been training alongside us for four or five weeks now. Dan Maskill will play off the bench as well.

“I was really impressed with what he’s done and, with Paul Sykes’s injury, we were looking for another pivot so this has provided another opportunity for another young kid.

“We feel we are in a position where we can rotate a little bit and give a break to some blokes who have undoubtedly earned a rest over the last month.

“Poorey will play after missing last week and we feel we want to keep Andy Raleigh and Kyle Amor playing. Match fitness is very important for those two guys.

“It also gives an opportunity for Frankie Mariano and Kyle Trout to move into the back-row and Jon Molloy to debut.”