He missed the loss to Gundagai with an quadriceps injury while Daniel Foley (eye), Pat Guthrie (elbow) and Clifford Morris (shoulder) all failed to play out the game.

Hands gave himself until game day to prove his fitness but didn’t want to risk a serious problem.

“It hurt missing it but I knew in the back of my head if worst comes to worst, which is did, we always had next week,” Hands said.

“Hopefully we will be right to go next week.”

Slotting in a five-eighth to replace Hands, Peter Little was also plagued by a thumb complaint.

In good news Patrick Sagigi will return after sitting out through suspension.