MANLY’S summer search for Matt Orford’s successor is set to end at Kieran Foran’s feet on Tuesday with the young half expected to be named in the No. 7 jumper for the Sea Eagles’ NRL season opener.

Coach Des Hasler is tipped to name the 19-year-old ahead of Trent Hodkinson for Monday night’s round-one clash with the Wests Tigers at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The young halves have been jostling for the role, vacated by Orford at the end of last year.

Foran should get the nod, partnering co-captain Jamie Lyon in the halves.

“It’s a bit different to five-eighth, a lot more organising and a fair bit more directing,” Foran told The Manly Daily on Monday of the prospect of playing halfback compared to playing five-eighth for most of 2009.

“I have been enjoying it, getting used to it now, I’m getting more comfortable as each day goes by.”

Foran said he has been working on his kicking game in a bid to swiftly move into the chief playmaking role.

“It’s something I have been working on pretty hard over the pre-season,” the young New Zealand Test back said.

Giant utility Tony Willliams is the other interesting selection, likely to start in the centres alongside Steve Matai with Ben Farrar (pectoral) unavailable through injury.

The club’s tremendous depth in the pack will also see Test prop Brent Kite again start off the bench.

Kite finished last winter on the bench, with Belrose junior Jason King enjoying his finest year in the NRL.

Kite is tipped to sit alongside Shane Rodney, George Rose and new hooker Terence Seu Seu on a pretty solid four-man bench.

Recruits Joe Galuvao and Matt Cross will probably miss out this time, with the former still a little groggy from his sickening head clash in last month’s final trial against the Warriors.

Meanwhile, ex-Sea Eagles Matt Orford and Glenn Hall combined to help Bradford knock off Wigan 22-20 at Odsal Stadium on Monday morning.

In the final minute Hall crashed over for his maiden try in the Super League to lock scores up at 20-all. Orford, who had earlier scored two tries, then converted to secure the tight win. Former Sea Eagles Steve Menzies and Heath L’Estrange also featured in the game.

Manly’s Harold Matthews squad scored a convincing 44-16 win over Western Suburbs at Hillier Oval on Saturday. Jackson Kelly scored three tries in the commanding victory. The SG Ball team lost to the Magpies on Saturday, 32-26.

http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/ready-to-roll/

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