Blow for Tigers as Richards is
sidelined

The flying Tigers winger, Pat Richards will miss the start of the NRL season after breaking his leg during his side's 20-10 pre-season loss to the Rabbitohs.

Richards, one of the Tigers' key off-season recruits, was taken to hospital for x-rays after being tackled in his own in-goal late in Saturday night's game.

Tigers football manager Steve Lavers said Richards, who has been tormented by injuries since making his first grade debut in 2000, could miss up to eight weeks.

Richard's injury was a sad postscript to a disappointing night for the Tigers at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford.

South Sydney centre Todd Polglase, an off-season pick-up from the Bulldogs, helped himself to two tries as the Rabbitohs scored their first victory since round 23 last season.

It was a sweet win for coach Paul Langmack and the club, which was soundly thrashed in the corresponding match last season and opened its 2004 pre-season campaign with another hiding from St George Illawarra in the Charity Shield.

"Everyone wanted to kick us when we were down," said coach Paul Langmack.

"We just had a heart-to-heart. If you have any competitive nature in you, you're going to be better.

"Everyone has an off day."

Langmack's words had the desired effect as the Rabbitohs got off to a flying start, with Polglase scoring his first try in the opening quarter and his second after the first break to give his side an 8-0 lead.

Richards replied for the Tigers in the 28th minute before Brett Hodgson levelled the scores at 8-8 and then converted to give the Tigers a two-point edge.

Youngster Rhys Hanbury put the Rabbitohs back in front in the 66th minute, Dean Byrne converting to make the score 14-10 before Jamie Russo scored in the 73rd minute.

Byrne once again converted.

"It's only a trial but it means a lot to us," said Langmack.