Tallis salutes Souths powerhouse with guts in spades

Snoop @ Good Vibes 2007

Snoop on Stage @ Good Vibrations Sydney 2007!

BRISBANE coach Wayne Bennett may not want to give him a rap but the game’s best prop Petero Civoniceva says teenage forward giant Dave Taylor is “freakish”.

One of Civoniceva’s many regrets about leaving the Broncos at the end of the season will be not sharing in the 19-year-old player’s development, which he expects to take off in 2008.

Taylor, who scored his maiden NRL try earlier this month against Gold Coast, turned in a performance off the bench against Parramatta on Monday night which left Civoniceva in no doubt about his potential.

“Freakish is the word that comes to mind,” said Civoniceva of Taylor’s 33-minute onslaught which included a try assist, two line breaks, 23 tackles and 132 precious metres in hit-ups. Most starting front rowers would love to have those kind of stats every week.

“We’ve seen glimpses of his potential every time he gets on the field but the other night he was incredible,” Civoniceva said.

“It’s pretty scary to think he’s just 19. He’s got the football world at his size-16 feet.”

Taylor, remarkably agile for a young man of 115kg, burst onto flat passes at high speed against the Eels, terrorising the defence several times in the second half. Civoniceva, 31, has been carting the ball into the teeth of opposition defences for a decade at the highest level and knows what is required from a player.

“It takes a lot of courage,” said the Queensland and Australia prop who has played 20 Origins and 29 Tests.

“It takes big hands as well, have you see the size of his hands? They’re unbelievable.

“The size of him and the way he can move is just freakish. He’s awfully skilful for a big guy and the most exciting thing will be to see how he develops over the few years.”

While Taylor has been heralded for his ball-playing ability, Civoniceva said the youngster could also do the tough stuff.

“Here’s a big guy who can take the ball to the line. He’s even got a kicking game as well which is unbelievable for a big guy,” he said.

“The good thing about Dave is he’s got a good head on his shoulders. He’s down to earth.

“He’s always the first guy who comes up to me in the sheds for a chat and we sometimes have coffee and talk about things. It’s a good sign. He’s not overawed.”

Originally from Blackwater in central Queensland, Taylor earned the wrath of his coach for displaying too much emotion when he scored his first try against the Titans.

Bennett declined to praise his outstanding effort against Parramatta but Civoniceva believes Bennett appreciates what Taylor offers.

“If Wayne didn’t want him he wouldn’t be in first grade this weekend,” Civoniceva said.

“You don’t want to be getting too many raps too quick when you’re a young talent but I know quietly Wayne would be loving everything Dave’s been doing. He’s exciting.

“Next year he’s the type of player you can build a pack around with Ben Hannant, Sam Thaiday.

“It all looks pretty rosy for the Broncos.”

AAP Source

Taylor old enough to belong (Aug 07, foxsports.com.au)

DAVE Taylor’s explosive performance for Brisbane against the Bulldogs last Friday night exposed the weakness in the case for banning players from the NRL until they have turned 20 or even 21, as several coaches and administrators have advocated.

Taylor, who turned 19 last month, is physically and mentally ready for the challenge of the NRL. And with Petero Civoniceva leaving for Penrith next season, he is set to be a regular in the Broncos’ top 17.That is not to say he will not be sent back to the lower grades at different stages; in his case, that will be the Queensland Cup rather than the new under-20 competition.The Broncos rightly believe the Queensland Cup will be the tougher competition, given there are so many players over 25, even over 30, especially at clubs such as Redcliffe and Burleigh.
Taylor would destroy under-20 teams but would not get an easy passage against the likes of Troy Lindsay, Danny Burke and Adam Starr at Redcliffe.

Taylor was always going to be a prop although it is easy to see why his school played him at five-eighth, given some of the things he did against the Bulldogs.Taylor is eligible for the Junior Kangaroos tour of Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand in October, along with Melbourne try-scoring sensation Israel Folau and Wests Tigers centre Chris Lawrence.The tour will climax with a match against the Junior Kiwis in the curtain-raiser to the trans-Tasman Test in Wellington on October 14, but don’t expect to see Taylor in too many representative curtain-raisers after that.
It is not hard to imagine him playing for Queensland or Australia before he turns 20.

Source

Inu, Taylor to stay put (Jan, 08, theaustralian.news.com.au)

PARRAMATTA rookie Krisnan Inu has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the NRL club until the end of 2010 season.

The Kiwi international said he believed the club would be a strong contender for grand finals in the coming seasons after losing to eventual premiers Melbourne in last year’s preliminary final. The signing is a further boost for the Eels after stitching up a deal to keep fellow backline young gun Jarryd Hayne at the club.

Meanwhile, Brisbane have extended the contract of boom youngster Dave Taylor until the end of  2009.Regarded as one of the hottest young players in the game, Taylor has opted to extend his contract with the six time premiers by one season rather than take a multi-year deal.Taylor, who has been earmarked as a future Australian forward, believes it’s in his best interest to prove himself before taking a long-term contract.But he says his future lies with the Broncos.Taylor finished last season in blockbusting form, sparking calls from former players for the club to offer him a life-time contract.However Taylor is happy to continue to learn his craft under coach Wayne Bennett and says his decision to opt for a one-year extension had nothing to do with money.
AAP Article

Broncos re-sign rising star (Jan 08, foxnews.com.au)

THE Brisbane Broncos have extended the contract of boom youngster Dave Taylor until the end of the 2009 NRL season.

Regarded as one of the hottest young players in the game, Taylor has opted to extend his contract with the six time premiers by one season rather than take a multi-year deal.

Taylor, who has been earmarked as a future Australian forward, believes it’s in his best interest to prove himself before taking a long-term contract.

But he says his future lies with the Broncos.

Taylor finished last season in blockbusting form, sparking calls from former players for the club to offer him a life-time contract.

However Taylor is happy to continue to learn his craft under coach Wayne Bennett and says his decision to opt for a one-year extension had nothing to do with money.

AAP Source

Taylor in line for Broncos recall (march 08: foxsportsnews.com.au)

By Wayne Heming

BRISBANE teenager Dave Taylor is poised for a Good Friday NRL call up against Sydney Roosters with the Broncos hit by early season knee injuries to forwards Joel Clinton and Corey Parker.

Clinton (anterior cruciate) and Parker (posterior cruciate) were sent for scans to assess the exact extent of knee injuries suffered in Brisbane’s 48-12 romp over Penrith on Sunday.

Highly-rated prop Taylor was relegated to Queensland Cup competition at the weekend and local officials say he responded with a storming two-try performance in the Central Queensland Comets’ 28-18 win over Norths Devils in Rockhampton.

Taylor and Nick Kenny, another Rockhampton product, loom as the likely back-up with Clinton a definite non-starter and Parker extremely doubtful for Friday night’s game at Sydney Football Stadium on the back of such a short turnaround.

Some observers were surprised Taylor was left out of Bennett’s 17-man squad which thumped Penrith on Sunday.

Club officials denied Taylor was being disciplined by being sent to the Queensland Cup, saying his trial form had not warranted his selection and that he needed to get his attitude right.

Taylor was reported to be unstoppable at times in Rockhampton, scoring one of his two tries after picking up a loose ball 25 metres out and carrying four Devils defenders with him over the line.

Comets chief executive Rob Crowe and interim player-coach Wayne Barrett said Taylor had played strongly against the Devils, playing out the full 80 minutes despite offers to come off a few times.

“From the time he stepped off the plane here on Friday morning you could tell he was here for a big game and he certainly came out and delivered,” said Crowe.

“He copped plenty of attention as you would expect but he was very hard to handle at times. He was very strong in attack and defence.”

Crowe joked he and Barrett were trying to work out how to tell the Broncos that Taylor didn’t play that well (to keep him for the Comets next game).

“They get a DVD of the game, so we couldn’t really do that,” he said. “He was pretty impressive. He put his head down and rolled up his sleeves and he went for the full 80 minutes.

“We offered him some time off twice when he looked out on his feet but he was quite determined and got straight back into the action. If the Broncs want him, he’s ready to go.”

Bennett will name his squad on Tuesday with the team heading to Sydney on Thursday.

AAP Source

NEW BREED – Dave Taylor – Broncos (april 08, nrl.com )

NRL.com

DAVE Taylor has always been a front-rower. He’s never played in the backs. He’s rarely even played back-row. In fact, he’s never played anything but rugby league.

He didn’t play cricket, soccer, rugby union or tennis. He didn’t surf or play golf. Since he first ran out of the Blackwater Crushers as a seven-year-old, Taylor has been a rugby league prop – and a damaging one.

The Broncos knew he was a prospect when he was picked as a 16-year-old for Australian Schoolboys when he was still in Year 10 at St Brendan’s in Yeppoon. Aged “about 16-and-a-half” he was brought down to play for the Clydesdales in the Queensland Cup, the Broncos’ reserve grade. The kid was big – and he could play.

“It was my last year of school and I thought if I could play Queensland Cup I was a decent show of playing top-class footy,” Taylor says. “That’s when it sort of came home that I was a pretty good chance. It became a bit ‘real’ then, I suppose.”
A year later he was making his debut, a run off the bench in the Broncos’ win over the Rabbitohs at Telstra Stadium in round 14 of 2006.

“It was unbelievable; a dream. I was really nervous before the game but once I ran on, got tackled, made a tackle, it was just like another game, even though it was at Homebush. I just played how I normally do, though didn’t do much.”

Taylor says turning up to training and meeting his team-mates and coach for the first time – legends of Queensland rugby league like Darren Lockyer and Wayne Bennett – was “sort of surreal”.

“Blokes you’ve looked up to for so long; watched on television as a kid… it was unbelievable to think I was running around the same training paddock with them. I was pretty nervous about meeting Wayne Bennett for the first time but he was really good, a nice bloke. I’d talked to him on the phone a bit, he was the one sort of convinced me to come down.”

Taylor’s strengths as a player are that he’s big (187cm and 114kg), pretty good on his feet and for a big unit very aerobically fit, notching a creditable score of 13.2 on a beep test. The Broncos want Taylor to work on his defence and to “learn patience” on the field. “The older guys have said to me that you don’t have to make a big play every time you get the ball. You’ve got to be patient, work hard – and have a red hot go.”

What did you do for Christmas?
Just hung around Blackwater [in FNQ], with my family.

Ever travelled overseas?
A couple of years ago I went to England and France with an AIS team. It was pretty different. Well should I say very different, at least from Blackwater! It was pretty cold and bleak but we had a good time. Mind you, we stayed in some pretty run-down joints. And the food was pretty bad. We certainly ate a lot of croissants if they were on the menu.

What sort of music do you like?
I’m into Country & Western. I really like Allan Jackson.

What do you drive?
A little Toyota Rav 4. It goes well.

What do you do away from footy?
I don’t mind playing golf, though I’ve only played a few games. I can’t even remember what I scored last time. I don’t have a handicap. But maybe around 100!

Broncos call for back-up (brisbanetimes.com.au)

Phil Lutton | March 18, 2008 – 12:27PM
Broncos centre Justin Hodges has backed bullocking prop Dave Taylor to step up to the plate against the Roosters on Friday as Brisbane battles a crippling string of early season injuries.

Taylor played in the Queensland Cup last week and has been elevated to fill the void left by the injured Joel Clinton (knee – four weeks), while Ben Hannant will see a doctor today for his troublesome Achilles but has been named to start in the front row with Sam Thaiday.

David Stagg joins the back-row while Nick Kenny moves onto the bench with Greg Eastwood, Taylor and Shane Perry.

The unlucky Michael Ennis continues to be hampered by a quad strain, meaning PJ Marsh will start for the second week running.

The news didn’t get better at training this morning, with influential backrower Corey Parker joining Clinton for a month on the sidelines with a similar injury to his posterior cruciate ligament.

Parker contributed 24 points in the round one 48-12 towelling of the Panthers, kicking 10 from 10 with the boot and crossing for a try.

His absence means Darren Lockyer may be forced to resume goal-kicking duties. Coach Wayne Bennett had new halfback Peter Wallace practise kicking for goal after training but after a series of misses from in front, he will need to improve quickly to be given the job.

Taylor, one of the finds of last season, was in destructive form for the Central Comets on the weekend, proving to club officials he is in the right frame of mind for first grade.

“That’s probably the best thing for him,” Hodges said today.

“It’s one of those learning curves you have to go through. It’s his second year in first grade so they sent him back there to try and find where he’s at.”

The Australia three-quarter said Taylor had the tools to be an “awesome” player but needed to embrace life as a footballing professional, especially what he shovels into his mouth to power his giant frame.

“He’s just got to get his head right. Sometimes he doesn’t take too good a care of himself in terms of his eating. Obviously he’s a big part of our team but we’ve go to try and get him fit and he can play well for us,” Hodges said.

Kenny will also feature against the Roosters off the bench in a reshuffled pack, with Hodges backing the new faces to do the job against the likes of Mark O’Meley and Anthony Tupou.

“We’ve got a lot of depth in the forwards. Nick Kenny’s there and he’ll stand up and do the job. Dave Taylor also. I’m sure they’ll take their chance this week,” he said.

Meanwhile the Gold Coast Titans have named an unchanged side to meet the Dragons on Monday night at WIN Stadium.

Coal train hasn’t derailed: Webcke (brisbanetimes.com.au)

Phil Lutton | March 5, 2008 – 5:00AM
Last year, NRL scribes could barely find the words to describe the Broncos’ teenage atom bomb, Dave Taylor.

The kid from Blackwater was almost too good to be true. At just 18, his torso was rippling with muscles most people weren’t aware existed. Give him a sword and a loin cloth and he could double for Conan the Barbarian.

His foot speed and soft hands are a better fit on a three-quarter than a prop. But wait, there’s more – his super-sized feet can hoist a ball half the field and beyond.

A history of destroying schoolboy defences in his days at St Brendan’s in Yeppoon earned him the imposing nickname of “Coal Train”. Just a handful of games into his NRL career, he was already being anointed a future great.

They were the words Brisbane fans had longed to hear. With home-grown heroes Petero Civoniceva and Shane Webcke departed or departing, here was the heir apparent ready to continue the carnage of the two club champions.

Undoubtedly, there was work to be done. His ball retention could be a little sloppy and at times he was hesitant in defence, still unaware of the damage a body of such significant dimensions (185cm, 114kg) was capable of inflicting.

But the seed was there. How it would sprout in the 2008 season was the burning question. Was it too soon to be talking Origin?

Wayne Bennett and the Broncos’ coaching staff were advocating a gently-gently approach with Taylor, barring him from talking to the media lest the myth overtake the man.

It looks like that slow burn will continue in the coming season, with Taylor struggling at times in trials and facing a battle to find a home in a new-look pack beefed up with Sydney imports Joel Clinton and Ashton Sims.

“In no way is he on the outer. But he’s learning,” Brisbane great Webcke told brisbanetimes.com.au of the 19-year-old.

“He’s learning how to play and he’s also growing up. He’s a young man. He’ll most likely be one of the best front-rowers that’s ever played our game once he gets things right. We just need to give him a bit of time. He’s got a long time to go in this game.

“The point is we all need that practice. But look, he’ll be in first grade this year. There’s no two ways about that.”

Like Taylor, Webcke left the country for the big smoke of Brisbane to follow his football dreams. He believes Taylor is still a boy in a man’s world and to ask too much too soon could sabotage his unquestionably bright future.

“We all forget how young he is. And he’s playing the hardest position in our game. And yes he made a big splash last year. But why chuck him in there and ask him to repeat it and repeat it?” Webcke asks.

“One of the hard things about being a first-grade footballer is consistency and you only learn that with experience.

“The mistake would be to chuck him back in there and say: ‘Here Dave, produce what you produced last year every game’. He won’t be able to do it.

“He’s not mature enough as a footballer and he doesn’t really realise what it is to be a full-on Bronco first-grader yet. That will come.”

Broncos re-sign boom prop

January 22, 2008 – 12:17PM

The Brisbane Broncos have extended the contract of boom youngster Dave Taylor until the end of the 2009 NRL season.

Regarded as one of the hottest young players in the game, Taylor has opted to extend his contract with the six time premiers by one season rather than take a multi-year deal.

Taylor, who has been earmarked as a future Australian forward, believes it’s in his best interest to prove himself before taking a long-term contract.

But he says his future lies with the Broncos.

Taylor finished last season in blockbusting form, sparking calls from former players for the club to offer him a life-time contract.

However Taylor is happy to continue to learn his craft under coach Wayne Bennett and says his decision to opt for a one-year extension had nothing to do with money.

AAP Source

Hunt fieldgoal edges Broncos home

Article from: The Australian

FRONT-rowers Dave Taylor and Nick Kenny led Brisbane’s comeback to snatch a thrilling 19-18 win over a gallant Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium tonight.
A 28-metre Karmichael Hunt field goal seven minutes from fulltime just got Brisbane home.Tigers utility John Morris had a chance to send the game into golden point but somehow missed his field goal from close range directly in front.

With ball players Darren Lockyer, Peter Wallace and Justin Hodges all sidelined, Brisbane’s big men stepped up and turned the game around just after halftime.

Taylor struck the first blow with a 50 metre charge which led to winger Denan Kemp scoring his 10th try of the season to put Brisbane back in the lead 14-12 after they trailed 12-8 at halftime. Three minute later a jubilant Kenny punched his way through three defenders before stretching out to claim the first try of his NRL career to extend Brisbane’s lead to 18-12.

The Tigers unearthed giant 23-year-old Daine Laurie, whose dreadlocks and 112kg, 198cm frame brought back memories of a young Lote Tuqiri.

It was Laurie’s charge at the line which pulled in several Brisbane defenders and led to Dene Halatau’s try after the halftime siren sounded.

Just as Brisbane appeared to be getting on top the Tigers came up with the try of the game after five-eighth Benji Marshall put centre Dean Collis into the clear.

With the cover converging, Collis kicked in-field, the ball bouncing high over the Brisbane defence for Tigers forward Liam Fulton to score and lock the game up 18-all.

The Tigers, down on forward power, led 12-8 at halftime and took Brisbane right to the wire.

The crowd of 27,864 stood in silence for one minute before the game as a mark of respect for well known rugby league identity Dick “Tosser” Turner who died this week.

Taylor-made win by Broncos (goldcoast.com.au, jan 08)

Daniel Meers @ goldcost.com.au

A 45-METRE bust by barnstorming forward Dave Taylor kickstarted the Brisbane Broncos’ surge to a thrilling NRL win over the Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium last night.

In a match that could best be described as an error-a-thon, the 27,864 strong crowd could have been excused for thinking both sides were trying to lose the game with knock-ons, kicks out on the full and defensive lapses. But as scrappy as it was, the match will go down as one of the most nailbiting all year.

The Tigers looked as though they had too much firepower for the Broncos leading 12-8 10 minutes into the second half, and with them pressing in back-to-back attacking raids, from nowhere Taylor found an intercept and produced the run of his life to take the Broncos well into Tigers territory.

A couple of plays later Hunt saw an overlap before Gold Coasters Darius Boyd and Denan Kemp combined for Kemp to score in the corner. Michael Ennis’ conversion made it 14-12.

Benji Marshall put the re-start out on the full and the Broncos scored in the ensuing set.

Ennis darted from dummy half before he passed to Nick Kenny who barged through pathetic Tigers defence from close range.

The Taylor bust led Brisbane to pile on 10 points in three minutes and was enough to give them the game.

Taylor, who has enormous potential, but has disappointed coaching staff with his attitude this season did exactly what the Broncos wanted after a crisis meeting with the forwards on Thursday.

The pack took responsibility for the loss in Canberra last week and in the end it was a forward who turned the match.

Broncos fans were left with a few anxious moments late in the game.

The Tigers are known for being the games’ entertainers and they showed why in the 65th minute.

Former Gold Coaster Benji Marshall threw a lightning pass to centre Dean Collis who found space out wide before he put a pinpoint cross kick, which bounced over Kemp’s head, and Liam Fulton scored under the posts and Brett Hodgson converted to level the match at 18-all.

But a 25 metre field goal from Karmichael Hunt with seven minutes to go gave the Broncos the game.

It was a lucky win for the Broncos.

They made more missed tackles and more errors than the Tigers, but guts and determination was enough to get them across the line.

It looked like a case of ‘here we go again’ early on.

All week the Broncos pack, fresh from their crisis meeting, said they would come out firing instead it took just six minutes for them to get steamrolled.

A set after a Joel Moon kick went out on the full Tigers forward Chris Heighington burst through attempted tackles from Greg Eastwood, Tonie Carroll and Ben Hannant before he passed to Brett Hodgson who raced away to score under the posts in the sixth minute.

Three minutes later the Broncos elected to take a penalty goal from close range to take the score to 6-2.

The Broncos hit the front in the 19th minute after Moon stepped inside a soft attempt at tackle from Ben Te’o and scored next to the posts to give the home side an 8-6 lead.

The Tigers levelled in the 26th minute through a Hodgson penalty.

The Tigers went to halftime with a 12-8 lead when Dene Halatau scored in the corner after the buzzer.

Taylor seeks help of Bronco greats (news.com.au june 08)

Peter Badel @ news.com.au

BOOM prop Dave Taylor has turned to Broncos greats Shane Webcke and Gorden Tallis to haul himself out of a self-confessed form slump.
Dubbed the code’s hottest front-row property following an impressive 2007, Taylor has struggled to cement a place in Brisbane’s top 17 this season, cracking the starting side just four times.

But the 115kg front-rower is keen to rip and tear in the run to the finals after producing the match-turning intercept that inspired Brisbane’s 19-18 defeat of the Tigers on Friday night.

Taylor, whose 47m run turned momentum Brisbane’s way, later revealed he had sought the counsel of former Broncos enforcers Webcke and Tallis to help finetune his game.

“I know I’m not playing my best football at the moment but I’m confident it will come with more game time,” Taylor said.

“I try not to pay attention to what people say about me, I just live my life.

“I’ve been listening to blokes like Shane Webcke and Gorden Tallis. They’ve been talking to me throughout the season and helping me out.

“Webby actually had a talk to me at half-time (on Friday night). He was telling me the things I need to do to fix my game up.

“Gordie has been good for me. He has said just knuckle down and run hard, don’t worry about putting too much footwork on – just use your size to advantage.

“I had a nose operation in the off-season and I’ve been a bit cautious about that.

“I’ve been second-guessing myself, but I’m starting to get some rhythm and want to progress at the back-end of the year.”

Flagged as a potential bolter for the Maroons this season, the Blackwater product insists he has not fallen victim to the dreaded second-year syndrome.

“I don’t think it’s that,” he said.

“I’m a bit disappointed with my form. I don’t think I’m playing the footy I did last year. I wouldn’t mind getting a bit more time on the field, but it’s hard to get a start when you have so many quality forwards.

“I don’t think I’m off my game that much. Last year I was a bit quiet too and then I pulled off one or two miracle plays and that made this big hype.

“But if I didn’t do that, there wouldn’t be very much said about me.”

Taylor’s intercept heroics were overshadowed by a gripping duel between rival hookers Robbie Farah and Michael Ennis, who are frontline contenders for the NSW No.9 jumper to be vacated by Danny Buderus next season.

Tigers rake Farah later said Ennis – in the best form of his career – had a long way to go before being a serious contender.

Dave Taylor receives Broncos call-up (wwos, aug 08)

Broncos enigma Dave Taylor has scored an unexpected opportunity to push his NRL finals case after being called into Brisbane’s side as an 11th hour replacement for utility David Stagg against Canberra on Sunday. Stagg, who copped a head knock in Brisbane’s 18-12 win over Cronulla last weekend suffered a relapse on Thursday and a decision was made to promote Taylor. “Staggy had a bit of an ordinary day at training on Thursday. He had a bit of a relapse from the concussion he’d had the week before and we thought it was better he have a week off, said assistant coach Ivan Henjak.

“They’re two different types of players but Dave (Taylor) will certainly add his stamp to the game.”

Taylor, who turned 20 last month, burst on to the NRL scene last year and was touted in some circles as an up-and-coming Origin player. But a frustrating season has seen the 115kg prop demoted to the Queensland Cup a few times and left him with some issues to address. Coach Wayne Bennett wants an increased work ethic from the front-rower and a shift in attitude if he’s to feature in Brisbane’s 17th straight finals campaign.

Henjak, a former Canberra halfback, said the Raiders were a big side with a lot of off loads and plenty of points in them. “We talked about them this morning and they’ve virtually blown every team off the park early in those game when they win,” he said. “Some of those teams have been top four teams so they’re confidence is up.”It’s a good time for us to step up to the mark.”We’re playing at home on a Sunday afternoon, it will be conducive to good footy which the boys are excited about and we’re playing a team that has got a lot of football in them.”I think you going to see a really good open brand of football.”

Centre Justin Hodges, who trained for the first time on Saturday, has a big task up against Raiders rival Col Best who has been in a try scoring mood in recent weeks.”That’s going to be a real challenge for Hodgo,” said Henjak.”I think Wayne (Bennett) has thrown out that little bit of a challenge for him with Colin going really well.

Canberra have recalled former Bronco Tom Learoyd-Lars from feeder club Souths-Logan to replace Scott Logan while inspirational captain Alan Tongue has been passed fit after being in doubt with a knee injury.Henjak said Brisbane are still aiming for a top four finish.”The boys are starting to warm to the task a little bit and I’ve seen a change to their attitude since the third Origin.

“We’re just starting to see a lift in intensity and the signs are there we can certainly get there if we get the opportunity with the top teams knocking each other off.”

Broncos urged to utilise Taylor’s talent (jan 09, wwos)

Old school forward John Barber, who played for NSW in 1971 against the legendary Arthur Beetson, believes the inexperienced but talent-stacked Taylor holds the key to the Broncos’ 2009 premiership fortunes.

He also believes, if used correctly in the opening rounds, the hulking 20-year-old forward could burst onto the State of Origin scene as a player Queensland could build future packs around with veteran props Petero Civoniceva and Steve Price in the twilight of their careers.

“I think they’re sitting on something special and I think they (Broncos) know it,” said Barber who played first grade in Newcastle aged 18.

“With his size and skill he can put the fear of god into the edge defence.”

Barber said Beetson was tough enough to pound out the hard yards but played on the edge of the ruck and he sees the same qualities in Taylor.

“He (Beetson) was a big man with a bit of footwork who could unload under pressure,” said Barber, qualified to comment on Taylor after coaching the likes of Origin and Test players Wally Fullerton-Smith, Trevor Gillmeister, Bryan Niebling, Steve Walters and Paul Khan.

“Taylor could be the new hero for Brisbane and Queensland fans to hang their hat on.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that Locky (Darren Lockyer) will be an immortal in 10 years time but he’s not going to be around forever.

“Brisbane have this wonderful backline and will get along when he goes.

“Their problem will be creativity in the forwards because they haven’t got it.

“But they’ve got it with this bloke.

“There’s a lot of players out there but ninety-nine per cent can’t do what this kid can do.”

Barber said with his “Beetson like” abilities with the ball, Taylor should be heavily involved in plays when Brisbane attack the line.

“If he can poke his head through the line a few times and lay on a couple of passes that lead to tries he’ll win them some games,” he said.

“If he can offload a ball off the ground to Karmichael Hunt for a try, then that’s how they should use him.”

Barber said Brisbane had to be prepared to accept a few errors in Taylor’s game.

Taylor, from Blackwater, has been Brisbane’s “boom” player for the past two seasons.

He was something of a “problem child” for former coach Wayne Bennett who wanted to see changes in his attitude despite constant calls to play him more.

Former NSW and Australia Test prop Steve Roach was so taken by his talents last season he called on the Broncos to sign the youngster for life.

But Brisbane took a gamble and signed him to a one year deal until the end of 2009.

With Origin prop Ben Hannant joining the Bulldogs Taylor will get an opportunity under incoming coach Ivan Henjak to realise his potential.

Henjak is certain to unleash the 115kg prop early with Brisbane facing a daunting start to 2009 with opening clashes with the Cowboys, Melbourne, Warriors and St George Illawarra, now coached by Bennett.

Meanwhile Justin Hodges is set to return to training tomorrow following six weeks of soul searching.

Broncos unleash new-look Taylor(brisbanetimes.com.au, feb 09)

Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak is hoping to unleash a bigger, fitter and faster Dave Taylor this NRL season with the young Bronco putting his future with the six-time premiers on the line this year.

Despite being rated a future NRL star, Brisbane only offered the  20-year-old Taylor a one-year deal for season 2009.

Clearly they want the former Blackwater Crusher to show he can be disciplined on and off the field before they offer him a long-term deal.
Taylor could be pivotal to Brisbane’s forward rotation and Henjak needs him to be able to play 20-minute spells in attack and defence.

It’s a challenge Taylor says he’s ready for and which Brisbane and Queensland Origin selectors hope he can deliver.

At training Taylor is as skilful with his hands as any back.

When he opens the throttle he has exceptional balance and genuine speed for someone who’s a massive 120kgs.

What he needs is to get his fitness up to NRL standard.

“Dave is a lot bigger than what he was last year but he’s also a lot fitter and a lot quicker than he was last year,” said Henjak. “The key for Dave is trying to get as many minutes out of him.

“He’ll play all three trials to build him up so hopefully he’ll be able to play the minutes we require in our first game.”

Meanwhile Brisbane will keep their million-dollar backline on ice with Henjak giving several exciting youngsters a run in Saturday night’s pre-season trial against the Titans at Wynnum.

The Titans have adopted a similar approach, naming recruits Sam Tagataese and Matt White in a 26-man squad.

Brisbane’s backline includes four members of their Under-20 side which lost last year’s grand final.

Promising young hooker Andrew McCullough has won the early battle for the No.9 jumper with former St George rake Aaron Gorrell selected on the bench.

Ex-Dragon Lagi Setu and former Tiger Ben Teo will start in a strong forward pack with exciting prospect Dave Taylor and Joel Clinton named as props.

Ashton Sims, who did a great job leading Fiji in the World Cup, has been named captain.

Henjak has settled on 18-year-old utility Gerard Beale at fullback with Under-20s captain Alex Glenn in the centres.

Flying machine Jharal Yow Yeh has won a wing spot with the club’s Under-20 player-of-the-year Ben Hunt at halfback.

Completing Brisbane’s backline are Logan junior Antonio Winterstein and Guy Williams from the central Queensland Comets along with Wynnum Manly product David Gergiou who’ll play five-eighth.

AAP

Bennett urges Broncos to handle Dave Taylor carefully (news.com.au, feb 09)

Bunnies throw carrot at Taylor (news.com.au, april 09)

By James Hooper @ news.com.au

Wanted … Dave Taylor. / The Sunday Telegraph

SOUTH Sydney have made a big-money play for Brisbane forward Dave Taylor, dangling a $750,000 carrot in front him.

The Broncos prop, who has attracted interest from six rival NRL clubs, has been offered a three-year deal to join the Rabbitohs. At 115kg, Taylor, 20, would form a fearsome front-row combination with South Sydney skipper Roy Asotasi.Pigeon-holed as a bench player at the Broncos, Taylor has only played minimal minutes this season. The Queensland Origin hopeful displayed his front-row skills in the opening round against the Cowboys, using superb footwork and an off-load to set up a Corey Parker try.

Taylor’s agent Col Davis confirmed the Rabbitohs had made an offer.

“I can’t confirm or deny any figures but Souths have certainly expressed an interest in David joining them,” Davis said. At this stage, we’re not in any rush to sign anything.

“We’ll just be sitting tight for another couple of weeks and then starting to make some decisions.” Rabbitohs chief executive Shane Richardson refused to discuss players the club was chasing. But forwards’ coach Gorden Tallis, who has a strong a connection to the Broncos as a former captain, is a huge fan of Taylor.

Gorden Tallis offers to make Dave Taylor an Origin star (news.com.au, april 2009)

Peter Badel @ news.com.au

IN DEMAND: Sought-after Broncos prop Dave Taylor and (inset) Gorden Tallis. / The Sunday Mail (Qld)

GORDEN Tallis says he can help transform Dave Taylor into a representative talent as the Rabbitohs up the ante in the battle to snare the Broncos prop.
Off contract at season’s end, Taylor has become the most sought-after prop in the code, with the Rabbitohs and five other clubs attempting to lure the 120kg bookend.Such is the interest in Taylor, the Broncos face paying upwards of $250,000 a season to retain the services of a prop who has been compared with Brisbane front-row legend Shane Webcke.The Rabbitohs have tabled a deal worth $750,000 over three years for Taylor, and former

Broncos enforcer Tallis shapes as a pivotal figure in the club’s bid to bring him to Redfern.Now a forwards coach at Souths, Tallis believes Taylor has barely scratched the surface of his talent and would relish the task of developing the 20-year-old into a Queensland Origin campaigner.”I’d love him to come to Souths. He’s got a heap to learn,” Tallis said. “I’m not the guy that recommended him to Souths but I’d certainly love to work with him. The Broncos are very lucky to have him on the books, I believe he’s a special talent.”I see a lot of potential in Dave. He could play Origin one day but whether he fulfils that potential is up to him. I like what I see. If there was one word I could use to describe Dave it would be ‘raw’. He’s got raw power, raw speed.”Once you refine him, he will go to another level. I think he would anyway.”While mindful of his rare talent, Brisbane’s coaching staff are working hard to eliminate the fundamental flaws and unforced errors that can creep into Taylor’s game.

The prop’s manager Col Davis said the Broncos had yet to table an offer, although the birth of Taylor’s first child last month has enhanced his chances of staying in Brisbane.Davis said he was keen to sort out Taylor’s future before the issue began to affect his focus on football.”Things are starting to stall a bit. I was initially hoping to have something by round four to six, by the Broncos have put no deadline on him,” Davis said.”I had a chat to Dave last week about what he wants to do and what he and his partner’s thoughts are. I’d say in the coming weeks we will start to crank things up because I don’t want contract talks to start affecting his headspace and his football.”Last week is the first decent chat we’ve had together and we discussed where Dave would like to play and some lifestyle decisions. Dave has just had a baby so his support network here will be a big consideration. But he’s got a stack of interest so he’ll have to weigh everything up.”Tallis scoffed at criticism of Taylor, saying the front-rower had been exposed to the rigours of NRL well before the likes of Petero Civoniceva and Webcke.

“Dave has copped some criticism but front-rowers don’t mature in the head until later in their career,” he said. “Petero was a late bloomer, ‘Webby’ (Webcke) was 23 or 24 when he really came of age. They just need time.”I don’t know if we’re going to see the best of Dave Taylor for another two or three years.”But he excites me. I see him in the Roy Asotasi mould but he’s built bigger than Shane Webcke.”With Dave, you have to pay for potential.”

Palmer Wapau trumps Dave Taylor (news.com.au, April 09)

Steve Ricketts  @ news.com.au April 22, 2009

CHANGING fortunes … Palmer Wapau at work as a groundsman

THIS is the part-time groundsman who has relegated Broncos rising star Dave Taylor to the Queensland Cup after his match fitness was questioned. Palmer Wapau, described by close friend Matt Bowen as the best footballer yet to play NRL, finally gets his chance against Parramatta at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night at the age of 26.

Taylor’s relegation after six weeks in the top grade is a setback to the 20-year-old’s representative aspirations and could make it harder for the Broncos to keep him after big money offers from rival clubs.

Broncos coach Ivan Henjak said yesterday Taylor needed match fitness and he could not guarantee him the required time after the 118kg prop played just 15 minutes off the bench against Penrith last start.Henjak said Taylor had to learn how to maintain intensity in defence when fatigued and he hoped an 80-minute stint with Queensland Cup affiliate Central Comets against Easts at Langlands Park on Sunday would help do the trick.

“It’s hard at this level to get the minutes up if you haven’t got the miles in your legs,” Henjak said. “Going back and playing a full game is going to benefit him hugely. I would like to see him playing 30 or 40 minutes of solid football for us.

“We’ve made a couple of changes even after we’ve won games so there is plenty of competition. We’ve got a standard here that you need to be playing at and I’m pretty sure the message is out there that we need to keep it at that standard.

“Ashton Sims got dropped and he responded well. I’m hoping Dave will too.”

Taylor has averaged 36 minutes a game this year including 61 minutes against Melbourne in his only start. Manager Col Davis said it was likely a club like Souths, which had offered a three-year $750,000 deal, would give Taylor a starting berth.

“We are told it is a 17-man game but there is no doubt players like to be in the starting 13 and one of the reasons is the opportunity for more game time,” Davis said. “Dave has copped his demotion on the chin and he doesn’t appear to hold any grudges. It won’t change things as far as contract negotiations with the Broncos are concerned.

“But it would have to damage his Origin aspirations. They don’t pull too many players out of Q Cup. But if he plays well for the Comets and gets back to the NRL it’s just a speed bump rather than a setback.”

Henjak said he was excited by what Wapau could offer, particularly as the 108kg forward also had been playing five-eighth.

“To make his debut at 26 is a big thing,” Henjak said. “He’s a crowd favourite at Redcliffe and there will be a lot of excitement on the (Torres Strait) islands where he comes from. People in those communities will get a buzz watching him run out.”

Parramatta have dropped Kiwi Test centre Krisnan Inu with Tongan World Cup three quarter Etu Uaisele to make his debut. Inspirational skipper Nathan Hindmarsh also returns from injury.

Brisbane Bronco David Taylor vows to bounce back from axing

Peter Badel @ news.com.au April 26, 2009

BOOM forward Dave Taylor says he harbours no resentment over his surprise axing from the Broncos and has vowed to work harder than ever to prove his worth to the club. Taylor’s stance came as South Sydney, one of six NRL rivals chasing his signature, indicated they wanted an answer from the front-rower tomorrow.

Despite being the most sought-after prop in the code, Taylor will today run out for Queensland Cup side Central Comets after his shock demotion for the Broncos’ clash against Parramatta last Friday night.

Still without a club for 2010, the sight of Taylor languishing in park football would be a welcome snapshot for NRL suitors hoping the 20-year-old craves a career resurrection away from Red Hill.

But Taylor sees the upside of coach Ivan Henjak’s decision and has pledged to make a swift return to the Broncos line-up.

“I spent time back in Queensland Cup last year and I got myself back into the NRL. I know that I will bounce back again this time,” said Taylor, who was relegated after playing just 15 minutes against the Panthers last Friday week.

“I need game time to keep up my skills and fitness levels. When I play Queensland Cup I usually play good time. Most of the time I’ll play the full 80 minutes.

“He (Henjak) wants me to get more time and there are a couple of things in my game that he has asked me to work on. Playing for the Comets gives me that opportunity.”

After a strong start in the season opener against the Cowboys, Taylor has had an indifferent opening six rounds. He is averaging 36 minutes a game this year, with a personal best of 61 minutes against the Storm in Round 2.

But the 120kg Rockhampton product says the club is not to blame for his inability to cement a starting berth.

“The situation is in my control,” he said. “My thoughts are that I have been going all right, but being a forward I need to get that field time which helps me in all areas of my game.

“All I can do is play some good footy and see what happens. I just know that if I can get good game time with the Comets, any areas of my game that need work will improve.”

Taylor’s future at Red Hill has never been so tenuous, with South Sydney having tabled an offer worth $750,000 over three years to lure the young bookend.

But former Test prop Shane Webcke is adamant the Broncos will extract the best of Taylor if he commits to the club.

“I know how good a club Brisbane is and I hope to high heaven that he stays with us,” Webcke said. “I know that under Ivan’s coaching, he will reach his potential and have a long and illustrious career.

“He’s taken the hardest steps with us and now I’d love to see him go the rest of the way with the club he started with.

“Dave has more talent than I ever did but he’s starting out so young – we all need to be patient with him.

“I think the Broncos are doing a remarkable job with his development.

“People shouldn’t look at him going back to reserve grade as a negative or a punishment. He won’t be there long.

“No one would hold it against Dave if he left, but I’m hopeful that won’t happen.”

]]> http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/13/dave-taylor-articles-from-07-09/feed/ 0 Soul of Sydney dt2 dt3 Dave Taylor dt4 dt5 dt6 dt7 taylor tallis Groundsman trumps Taylor dt6 http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/foxsports-com-au-souths-sign-david-taylor-for-2010-rd9-may-12-2009/ http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/foxsports-com-au-souths-sign-david-taylor-for-2010-rd9-may-12-2009/#comments Tue, 12 May 2009 14:28:44 +0000 Soul of Sydney http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/?p=254 ]]> South Sydney sign Brisbane Broncos forward David Taylor for 2010 (foxsports.com.au)

May 12, 2009

The NRL’s hottest off-contract property has finally settled on a new home, Brisbane Broncos forward David Taylor agreeing to terms with South Sydney for 2010.

Speculation has been rife over the 20-year-old prop’s future since before a ball was kicked in 2009 with the Rabbitohs making their intentions clear from the outset.

Taylor’s 119kg frame and exceptional speed have made him a unique prospect, however questions still remain over his fitness and ability to last for extended stints on the field since the reduction in interchange numbers.

A junior of the Blackwater club in central Queensland, Taylor debuted for the Broncos in 2007, making an immediate impact and being earmarked as a representative player of the future.

Broncos prop signs three year Rabbitohs deal (brisbanetimes.com.au)

Dave Taylor has reportedly signed a three-year deal with South Sydney.

May 12, 2009 – 9:20PM

BRISBANE - Overlooked Broncos prop Dave Taylor has reportedly signed a three-year deal with South Sydney.

Boom forward Taylor, 20, again missed out on a first grade spot when coach Ivan Henjak unveiled his side to take on the Gold Coast Titans at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

The Broncos had been confident Taylor’s NRL omission would have no effect on contract negotiations.

However, the Nine Network reported on Tuesday night that Taylor was bound for the Rabbitohs.

It is understood that the Broncos football management and Taylor’s agent had agreed to postpone negotiations until he had broken back into the first grade side.

And Broncos boss Bruno Cullen expected that to happen sooner rather than later.

“We expected him back in the first grade side, through form or injury or State of Origin or whatever the case may be,” Cullen said on Tuesday night.

“It (the television report) is certainly news to me. I have not heard from Dave Taylor, or his management or anyone about that.

“It would not be a good way to find out if it is in fact true.”

Despite impressive form for Central Comets in the Queensland Cup, Taylor has failed to break back into the NRL team.

But Henjak said Taylor was “close” to a call-up.

“There are still a few things to work on,” Henjak said of Taylor’s form.

“But he is definitely working in the right direction.”

Henjak said he had refused to have Taylor’s contract negotiations with the Broncos influence his decisions at the selection table.

“That can’t be my concern,” he said.

“My role is to pick the team I think will do the job and at the moment Dave is not in it.”

Meanwhile, South Sydney football manager and former premiership winning Penrith coach John Lang could not confirm the report.

“Not to my knowledge,” he said.

“But it is no secret that we have been chasing him.”

Taylor hops to Bunnies (cairns.com.au)

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

He is set to join the South Sydney Rabbitohs but first NRL prop Dave Taylor has a point to prove against the Northern Pride.

The Brisbane Broncos yesterday snubbed Taylor, leaving him out of the side to play the Gold Coast despite many experts tipping him as a future State of Origin star.

Instead, the 115kg prop is set to line up for the ladder-leading Central Comets at Browne Park in Rockhampton on Saturday night in a blockbuster Queensland Cup match against the Pride.

His omission from the Broncos has been slammed by many league experts, with The Cairns Post columnist Greg Dowling last month urging him to quit the club if it continued.

Reports yesterday indicated Taylor had signed a $270,000-a-season deal with South Sydney.

Taylor has been in strong form for the Comets in recent weeks and will be keen to impress against an in-form and dangerous Pride pack.

Comets coach Wayne Barnett said Taylor was still improving.

“He’s getting better. Obviously there was a lot of disappointment in not playing NRL but he has been doing the job for us,” he said.

“Once he gets over his disappointment, he’s there and wants to give it a go.

Pride coach Andrew Dunemann said the 20-year-old posed a massive threat.

“He’s obviously done something wrong in my opinion not to be in first grade,” he said.

“To be honest I’ve seen some of the games in recent weeks and it’s men against boys with him.

“But we’ve talked our forward pack up so it will be a great challenge.”

It is understood the Broncos and Taylor’s agent had agreed to postpone negotiations until he had broken back into the first grade side.

Broncos boss Bruno Cullen expected that to happen sooner rather than later and was unaware of his impending move to South Sydney.

“We expected him back in the first grade side, through form or injury or State of Origin or whatever the case may be,” Cullen said.

“It (reports) is certainly news to me. I have not heard from Dave Taylor or his management or anyone about that.

“It would not be a good way to find out if it is in fact true.”

Pride team: 1. Chey Bird, 2. Brandon Boor, 3. Ty Williams, 4. Hezron Murgha, 5. Rod Jensen, 6. Tom Humble, 7. Chris Sheppard, 8. Ben Laity, 9. Jason Roos, 10. Manase Manuokafoa, 11. Jamie Frizzo, 12. Mark Cantoni, 13. Joel Riethmuller. Interchange: 14. Gordon Rattler, 15. Nick Slyney, 16. Matthew Bartlett, 17. Alex Starmer

]]> http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/foxsports-com-au-souths-sign-david-taylor-for-2010-rd9-may-12-2009/feed/ 0 Soul of Sydney Dave Taylor has reportedly signed a three-year deal with South Sydney. dave taylor http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/rl1908-com-the-balmainiacs-of-1908/ http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/rl1908-com-the-balmainiacs-of-1908/#comments Tue, 12 May 2009 01:18:56 +0000 Soul of Sydney http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/?p=252 ]]>

The Balmainiacs of 1909

Sean Fagan of RL1908.com

It was the most dramatic action ever taken by a rugby league club – the 1909 Balmain team forfeited the premiership Final. Arguments have raged as to what led to Balmain’s actions, and the day’s events have caused the ‘Tigers’ and the South Sydney Rabbitohs to generally harbour nothing but ill-will towards each other ever-since.

The seeds of the dramatic events of 1909 lay in the years before rugby league was formed, back when Balmain and Souths were rugby union clubs. In 1900 the Metropolitan Rugby Union (MRU) replaced the private clubs of the 1800s with district clubs. This was done to more evenly distribute the talent between clubs, and to build upon the growing support for suburban based clubs.

While Balmain had use of ‘the best ground in the colony’ in Birchgrove Park [Oval], the MRU inexplicably ignored its ‘home-and-away’ scheduling for club matches, and refused to allocate South Sydney matches anywhere but at the SCG or Sports Ground.

Between 1900 and 1906, Souths and Balmain had met 14 times, yet the ‘red-and-greens’ had only twice been required to play at Birchgrove.

While most clubs trained indoors at night or on fields under moonlight, Souths and Easts had exclusive use of the lights of the Sports Ground. Understandably, other clubs, particularly Balmain and Norths felt that Souths and Easts were receiving favourable treatment.

The newspapers and opposing fans had come to call the Balmain club “the Balmainiacs”. Unafraid to vent their feelings, especially at home games, Balmain were not the most popular club amongst Sydney ‘rugbyites’.

When the opportunity came to join the newly formed rugby league in the early months of 1908, most rugby union clubs lost approximately half of their players and members. In Balmain’s case, the League got just about everybody.

When the Balmain Union club held its first meeting of 1908, all the district’s League supporters attended and voted against the election of every official for the coming season.

While they really had no cause to even be at the Union club’s meeting, the presence of the League supporters prevented the Union club from being formed for the coming season. The MRU organised the follow-up meeting for the same night as the next Balmain League meeting, just so it could carry on its business.

By the start of the 1909 season, the NSWRL was in a dire financial crisis – its founding fathers, James Giltinan, Victor Trumper and ‘Harry’ Hoyle, all lost their positions.

Under the stewardship of North Sydney’s Alexander Knox, the NSWRL convinced the clubs to forgo their gate receipts from matches, and hand it all over to the League.

It quickly became apparent to Knox that the only club attracting reasonable crowds was Balmain at Birchgrove Park. Consequently, Balmain were given a home game in almost every round. As a result, they enjoyed great on-field success and climbed the premiership ladder. Balmain reached the Final against South Sydney.

However, as Souths had won the minor premiership by two points, the NSWRL play-offs system meant that Balmain had to beat them in the Final, and then beat them again in a second Final to claim the title. It seemed unlikely.

Balmain lobbied the NSWRL to schedule the Final at Wentworth Park, which was half-way between the two districts. The League refused, and put the match on at the Agricultural Ground – Souths home field.

Balmain’s complaints were quickly overtaken by outside events when more than half of the 1908 Wallabies team suddenly defected to rugby league for a series of matches against the Kangaroos. The Final was postponed indefinitely.

Knox publicly criticised the NSWRL officials who were involved in ‘bringing-down’ the NSWRU via paying huge sums to the Wallabies. Other officials didn’t see a problem with the League’s actions, and Knox soon lost his position on the NSWRL.

Funded by entrepreneur James Joynton-Smith, the three ‘Wallabies v Kangaroos’ matches did not earn enough gate-money to fully cover his costs or those of the NSWRL. So a fourth game was arranged. To increase interest and gate-takings, the NSWRL scheduled the Final on the under-card.

Balmain were seemingly aggrieved at the demotion of importance of the Final, and asked the NSWRL to ensure it was played on a separate day. They also argued that their players’ labour should not go towards paying money owed to Joynton-Smith and the NSWRL. The League refused and Balmain announced that they would not play.

On the day of the Final the Balmain players arrived outside the ground in the early afternoon, well before the scheduled kick-off time of 2 o’clock. They then picketed the entrance, endeavouring to convince patrons not to enter.

Despite very heavy rain and the protests of the Balmain footballers, enough of a crowd turned up to clear the debts of Joynton-Smith and the NSWRL. Balmain stuck to their word and did not appear on the field. Souths kicked-off, picked up the ball and scored a try. The referee awarded them the match, and with it the 1909 premiership.

In the days that followed a public meeting was held at Balmain to decide what to do about challenging Souths being credited as premiers. It then became apparent what Balmain had been trying to achieve. The first speaker at the meeting was North Sydney’s Alexander Knox. He had convinced Balmain to forfeit the Final in the hope that the NSWRL would not earn enough money to pay off its debts or be able to reimburse Joynton-Smith.

With the NSWRL bankrupted, Balmain and Norths officials would lead the formation of a new rugby league body – one in which they, and not South Sydney and Easts, would be the dominant office-holders. With little hope of winning the premiership, Balmain felt they had more to gain by causing the NSWRL to collapse.

Further meetings were held, attempting to instigate legal proceedings and investigate forming a new League, but they eventually stalled.

In the opening round of the 1910 competition, the NSWRL scheduled a ‘re-match’ between Souths and Balmain at Birchgrove Park to appease the local supporters.

‘The Balmainiacs’ responded by establishing a record crowd for a NSWRL club match of over 5,000. The home team though were beaten 13-5 in a very tough and physical encounter.

The Referee thought it necessary to praise the Birchgrove crowd for their behaviour, offering, “Naturally they like to see their favourites win, and what district does not? In the present instance, however, their team had to play second fiddle, but as sports they took the defeat in good spirit, and liberally applauded the visitors.”

At the first NSWRL meeting of 1910, Norths’
Alexander Knox was banned from rugby league
for life.

]]> http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/rl1908-com-the-balmainiacs-of-1908/feed/ 0 Soul of Sydney balmainiacs http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/nrl-com-video-mario-fenech-on-rabbitohs-v-tigers-history-leaguehq-com-au-tigers-have-old-axe-to-grind/ http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/nrl-com-video-mario-fenech-on-rabbitohs-v-tigers-history-leaguehq-com-au-tigers-have-old-axe-to-grind/#comments Tue, 12 May 2009 01:00:52 +0000 Soul of Sydney http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/?p=249 ]]> Nrl.com: Video -Mario Fenech @ SCG talking about heritage round Rabbitohs V Tigers

http://bigpondvideo.com/NRL_Rabbitohs/127642

Tigers have century-old axe to grind

Adrian Proszenko | May 10, 2009

EVERY feud has a beginning.

The one between South Sydney and Balmain started 100 years ago and will be renewed on the hallowed turf of the SCG in the Heritage round this weekend.

Diehard Tigers fans still claim they were robbed of the 1909 premiership when they boycotted the decider, claiming it was inappropriate to play the grand final on the same day the Kangaroos were leaving on the boat for England.

However Souths turned up, kicked off, scored a farcical try and were awarded the premiership by forfeit.

As the NRL prepares to celebrate the history, feuds and rivalry which made the game great, Tigers great Ben Elias demanded – perhaps tongue in cheek – for Souths to be stripped of the 1909 premiership.

“It should be taken away,” Elias said. “People take gold medals away from Olympians who cheat – I would say this is on par.

“It’s clearly stated in the records they both agreed not to turn up – one team did and they won the premiership.

“They weren’t honourable in our agreement. We were outsmarted, it was very cunning.

“The battle continues.”

Elias was involved in some of the most memorable battles between the clubs, most notably against rival hooker Mario Fenech.

Their bitter rivalry was documented in the Rabbitohs’ Book of Feuds: “Mario Fenech’s passion was both his greatest strength and his Achilles heel, and nobody knew how to exploit this better than [Ben] Elias.”

Heritage round will be waged between old rivals and new ones.

Queensland sides Brisbane and the Gold Coast play on Friday at Suncorp Stadium, while traditional foes Manly and Parramatta clash at Brookvale on Sunday.

]]> http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/nrl-com-video-mario-fenech-on-rabbitohs-v-tigers-history-leaguehq-com-au-tigers-have-old-axe-to-grind/feed/ 0 Soul of Sydney http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/news-com-au-craig-wing-tells-of-his-time-in-the-winderness-with-injury-nrl-com-craig-wing-the-perfect-origin-utility-rd-8-may-12-2009/ http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/news-com-au-craig-wing-tells-of-his-time-in-the-winderness-with-injury-nrl-com-craig-wing-the-perfect-origin-utility-rd-8-may-12-2009/#comments Tue, 12 May 2009 00:29:15 +0000 Soul of Sydney http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/?p=246 ]]>

Craig Wing tells of his time in the wilderness with injury (news.com.au)

By James Phelps | May 12, 2009 12:00am

Renewed confidence…Fully fit Souths star Craig Wing, at Redfern Oval yesterday, has emerged as a surprise Origin contender. Picture: Brett Costello / The Daily Telegraph

ISOLATED and alone was not how Craig Wing imagined his first season as a Rabbitoh would feel. He was a million-dollar signing and the poster boy of a proud club on the rise. Yet here he was, pounding a treadmill in the bowels of a decaying grandstand at Erskineville Oval.

All alone.

“When you are out injured you just sit in a cardio room, on a bike doing your boring injury stuff,” Wing told The Daily Telegraph.

“I didn’t sign up to be on a bike or a grinder or a rower. I hated it. It was awful. It was killing me.”

It was early 2008 and these were dark days. Days when Wing questioned everything.

Earlier this year the man touted as the Rabbitohs’ saviour admitted he felt worthless and depressed.

Yesterday he revealed the full extent of what was his toughest year.

“When you get a serious injury you get pulled away from the team,” Wing said.

“You watch them train, you watch the highs and lows but you are not a part of it.

“You do your own training in the background. I was a stranger. As a league player you play to be in a team. You want to share the highs and lows.”

And Wing is a man who could have used a high or two last year.

Aside from an illegal tackle shattering his shoulder and ending his season after just seven minutes, Wing lost a reported $600,000 in a failed investment and his relationship with his long-term girlfriend ended.

“It is hard when your personal life gets dragged up,” Wing said. “I have a public profile and it does belong to the public. Your form and football is fair game, they can talk about that, but when it’s personal it gets tough.”

But it was the rumours concerning his mates that hurt the most.

While he was stuck in his little room listening to the mind-numbing rhythm of his feet hitting the treadmill, people were saying Wing was on the outer with his teammates. That he wasn’t liked. An outcast.

“There was a lot of pressure and I had injuries and it added to me being stressed out,” Wing said.

“And the rumours hurt. It was hard because I didn’t have football to help get on with the guys. I didn’t really have the chance to get to know them. Last year I was on my own.

“It was tough with that but shit happens. People go through that and you have to deal with it.”

But today Wing is smiling. Yesterday’s outcast is today’s comeback king, with the one-time bachelor of the year eyeing a return to rugby league’s greatest stage – State of Origin.

“I am a lot happier these days,” Wing said. “I am injury-free and fit and healthy. I think I am fitter, stronger and faster than ever.”

A stellar return to representative football during the City-Country clash has him at short odds for a shock return to Origin.

“I am loving being out on the field again and I really enjoyed the experience of City-Country,” Wing said. “I loved being in that rep environment. I won’t lie, it is something I have really missed.

“I would love to play Origin again. I know that I could handle it if I was picked.”

It’s amazing what a return to the footy field will do for a man.

Craig Wing: The perfect Origin utility? (nrl.com)

Ben Blaschke

NRL.com

If there has ever been a better bench option for New South Wales than Craig Wing, his coach is yet to find it.

Not content to sit back and subtly sing the praises of his star playmaker from afar following his stunning performance for City Origin last Friday night, South Sydney coach Jason Taylor has gone one better by labelling Wing the best utility he has ever seen.

The 29-year-old was rated only an outside chance of regaining a sky blue jersey this season after two years in the wilderness but has suddenly rocketed back into calculations as the man to help end three years of Queensland dominance.

“He is as good as anyone I have seen in regards to being able to cover different positions,” Taylor told NRL.com.

“He is such a valuable player to have and that’s the thing about him, being able to play a number of positions – he can come on in any position and play as if he plays there every week.

“He did that on Friday night and I thought he played really well.”

City coach John Cartwright was quick to talk up Wing – a veteran of 10 games for NSW but none since 2006 – as a genuine bench option over the weekend and Taylor said he would be stunned if Origin selectors didn’t now have him near the top of their lists.

Wing came on after just 10 minutes for City to replace injured Rabbitohs team-mate John Sutton at five-eighth and played a leading hand as his side overcame an early 12-0 deficit to run away with an emphatic 40-18 win.

“He is certainly a player that I think should always come into consideration when it comes to the rep teams.” Taylor said.

“He can always fill that utility role on the bench because of that strength we are talking about – the ability to cover so many positions regardless of where he has been playing and to also make an impact. He is so solid in every aspect of the game.”

Ironically, Wing’s utility value will prove invaluable for Taylor and his South Sydney side over the next month with Sutton sidelined with a broken hand.

Taylor had originally planned to use his most experienced player in a roving role – mainly between hooker and lock – this season “but we’ve got John out now so Craig will slot straight into that five-eighth role”.

Asked about the pros and cons of having a player suited so perfectly to so many different positions, Taylor replied: “I think that over the years, most of his coaches have probably struggled a bit with the decision about where he is best suited.

“But although there are times when you do think to yourself ‘well what is Craig’s best position’, the fact that he can cover so many of them really is a great positive to have.”

Taylor also commended Wing for his efforts in overcoming a series of injuries since returning to South Sydney from the Roosters last season.

The veteran of 245 NRL appearances played only 11 games last year because of a shoulder injury suffered just seven minutes into the season and missed the opening two rounds earlier this year with hip and ankle problems.

“It’s been very frustrating for Craig but he has stayed positive and is playing some very strong football at the moment,” Taylor said.

“Being back in the rep environment is good for him too. He has worked very hard to get back to where he is.”

The Rabbitohs have been hit and miss this season but have the opportunity to cement their position in the top eight with a win over Wests Tigers at the Sydney Cricket Ground this Sunday.

“Overall we’ve had a pretty solid start,” Taylor said.

“We haven’t got the results on the scoreboard over the past few weeks but if you take the scoreboard out of it we’ve been enormously competitive and still have a lot of improvement in us so I’m pretty satisfied with where we’re at right now.”

Posted:

Mon, 11 May 2009 10:20:00

]]> http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/news-com-au-craig-wing-tells-of-his-time-in-the-winderness-with-injury-nrl-com-craig-wing-the-perfect-origin-utility-rd-8-may-12-2009/feed/ 0 Soul of Sydney Craig Wing South Sydney NRL http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/11/mick-crocker-signs-with-south-sydney-rabbitohs-news-videos-audio/ http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/11/mick-crocker-signs-with-south-sydney-rabbitohs-news-videos-audio/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 04:09:07 +0000 Soul of Sydney http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/?p=243 ]]> Rabbitohs confirm Crocker signing (abc.net.au)

Posted Fri May 8, 2009 11:46am AEST

Future secured … Michael Crocker will play for the Rabbitohs until the end of the 2012 NRL season (AAP Image: David Beniuk)

Press Conferenced Audio :

South Sydney confirmed it has signed Kangaroos and Queensland forward Michael Crocker until the end of the 2012 NRL season, The premiership-winning forward will be available for selection as early as next weekend’s round 10 match against the Tigers after inking a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Rabbitohs.

Crocker had to walk away from a reported $1 million three-year contract with Super League club Hull after his second application for a visa was turned down by the British Home Office.

Hull FC chief executive James Rule said he believed the former Roosters and Storm back-rower was denied a visa because of a 2006 conviction for affray.

Crocker says his failure to get a British visa should serve as a lesson to other rugby league players.

“Obviously there were a lot of reasons why I wanted to go to England and most of them are personal,” he said.

“But I think if we can take anything out of this it’s that kids these days need to learn a lesson that every action has a consequence.

“One bad decision I made that ended up in a minor offence a few years ago has cost me that opportunity.”

The move is good news for Queensland, who could call on Crocker for this year’s State of Origin series due to begin with the series opener on June 3, and Crocker says he would be keen to play for the Maroons again this year.

“Definitely, I’d love to play rep footy,” he said.

“I’m not going to say that I’m not thinking about it because everyone wants to play State of Origin and for their country so it’s definitely in the back of my mind.”

Crocker, who has 10 caps for the Maroons and has won two NRL premierships with the Storm and Roosters, said he was pleased to have his playing future secured.

“I am really happy to have my future sorted out,” he said in a statement.

“It has been a long drawn out process and I am looking forward to getting back into a routine and also back onto the field.

“The Rabbitohs are a club with a proud history and an exciting future. This squad is definitely a title contender.

“I am looking forward to playing alongside them and learning from Jason Taylor and Gorden Tallis.”

A Rabbit out of a spat (Leaguehq.com.au)

May 9, 2009

Russell Crowe turned one bad decision by Michael Crocker into one very good outcome for South Sydney. Will Swanton reports.

Michael Crocker climbed the stairs at Redfern Oval. Next to him, a life-size picture of John Sattler. Above him, in capital letters, the club mantra: “BLAME NO ONE. EXPECT NOTHING. DO SOMETHING.” The hard-as-nails Crocker just suits this place, and he arrived yesterday with all guns blazing by declaring the Rabbitohs a premiership force and setting his sights on a return to State of Origin.

Crocker will be at Souths until the end of 2012. He would be playing for Hull in England right now if not for the rejection of his visa because of a past charge of affray. His previous stint in Sydney, with the Roosters, was likened to a real-life version of Underbelly, but this is a different beast. After confirming he had received the obligatory phone call from Souths owner and Hollywood heavyweight Russell Crowe to entice him to Redfern, Crocker insisted his days as a wild child were over.

“There were a lot of reasons why I wanted to go to England,” the 28-year-old said. “Most of them are personal, but I think if we can take anything out of this, if kids these days need to learn a lesson, it’s that every action has a consequence. One bad decision that ended up in a minor offence a few years ago has cost me that opportunity.

“But I’ve learnt a lot in my time down at Melbourne. I’m a lot older and hopefully a lot wiser. I was a senior player at Melbourne and a leader, so to come here to a young team like Souths, I’ll try to continue that here. I’d definitely love to play rep footy. I’m not going to say I’m not thinking about it. Everyone wants to play State of Origin and play for their country, so it’s definitely in the back of my mind.”

The Rabbitohs were ecstatic to unveil their new signing. He’s a feared second-rower with grand final, Origin and Test experience. He reached five grand finals in the seven years from 2002; ran riot in 10 Origin games for Queensland and was unleashed in six Tests. He will attend his first training session under Souths coach Jason Taylor on Monday before his debut against Wests Tigers next weekend.

“It’s been frustrating,” he said of his ultimately doomed bid to play for Hull in England. “It’s been six months, basically, since I’ve played footy and nearly four months of waiting [to settle his future]. I’m refreshed. Mentally and physically I feel like I haven’t played in five years. I feel like a little kid, nervous at my first day at school. I met with Jason a few weeks ago when we looked at moving things forward. I was impressed by that meeting we had and everyone I spoke to had nothing but good things to say about the club. It’s an exciting club, moving in the right direction.”

Crowe telephoned Crocker and made the right noises.

“He was a good man to speak to,” Crocker said. “Having blokes like him around the club, he’s a passionate rugby league supporter and Souths supporter, I think that feeds through the rest of the club.”

Did he offer a seat at the Oscars next year? A bit-part in his next movie?

“We actually spoke about horses,” Crocker said. “My wife’s favourite movie when she was a child was one of Russell’s first movies. They had a good chat about that.”

Which movie?

“The Silver Brumby,” Crocker laughed.

For Taylor, the light-hearted chat between Crowe and Crocker was a seriously promising moment for the club. He said Crocker brought the attitude, physicality and fearlessness that premierships can be forged on. He said Crocker didn’t need to be given official leadership duties because taking charge was second nature to him.

Formalities completed, all the right words said, Crocker went back down those same stairs. He looked up: “BLAME NO ONE. EXPECT NOTHING. DO SOMETHING”. He didn’t need to look twice.

Michael Crocker signs with South Sydney Rabbitohs (news.com.au)

By Steve Gee | May 08, 2009 11:55pm

Older and wiser…South Sydney’s latest signing Michael Crocker familiarises himself with the new-look Redfern Oval yesterday. Picture: Brett Costello / The Daily Telegraph

HE’S the granite-nosed recruit many believed could be the missing piece in Souths’ premiership puzzle.

But while his aggression and leadership were the drawcards for the Rabbitohs brains trust, it was a conversation about horses – of all things – that bonded Michael Crocker with his new paymaster.

Having met Rabbitohs coach Jason Taylor three weeks ago, Crocker received the now obligatory phone call from Russell Crowe – reserved for prized signings – urging him to come aboard.

And while there was plenty of talk about premierships, winning cultures and Bunnies history, it was Crowe’s 1993 movie Silver Brumby that dominated conversation.

“We actually spoke about horses . . . my wife’s (Sally Carne) favour- ite child movie was one of Russell’s first movies, so we had a good chat about that actually,” Crocker said yesterday, after signing a 3½-year deal, believed to be worth up to $250,000 a season.

“It was pretty funny actually. Probably not what you’d expect.”

Perhaps not. But then a lot has changed since Crocker last lived in Sin City.

Having fled the Sydney fishbowl at the end of 2005 after a string off-field problems at the Roosters – including the affray charge that cost him a $1 million Super League contract with Hull – the one-time wild child is ready to embrace the scrutiny and expectation certain to come with his move to Souths.

And he insists his experience is a lesson for others.

“If we can take anything out of this it’s that kids these days need to learn a lesson that every action has a consequence,” said the former Test back-rower of the visa drama that left him sidelined for six months. “One bad decision I made that ended up in a minor offence a few years ago has cost me that opportunity.

“I’m very happy to have it sorted out and I’m looking forward to training with the boys on Monday and hopefully playing next week.”

Crocker, who has kept fit training with his former Melbourne teammates since January, said he had no concerns about returning to Sydney.

“I think I learned a lot in my time in Melbourne. I’m a lot older and hopefully a lot wiser,” he said. “I was a senior player at the Storm and a leader, so coming into a young team like Souths I need to continue that.”

There was also the lure of a premiership, with Crocker convinced success is on the horizon at Redfern.

“It’s definitely a team that can win a premiership, if not this year, the next couple of years,” said Crocker, who has already drunk from the premiership cup with the Roosters and Melbourne.

A delighted Taylor and Souths chairman Nick Pappas hailed Crocker’s signing as a coup.

“He really is going to add an extra dimension to what we’re doing both in the aggression side of things (and) in our leadership model as well,” Taylor said. “His record speaks for itself. He was involved in three Grand Finals at the Roosters and he was at the Storm while they played in three Grand Finals.

“To be involved in two clubs that played in three Grand Finals through that period is pretty impressive.”

Crocker warns NRL troublemakers (brisbanetimes.com.au)

May 8, 2009

One time rugby league bad boy Michael Crocker says his UK visa knock-back sends a warning to would-be NRL troublemakers that their actions do have consequences.

Crocker confirmed on Friday he would join South Sydney on a long-term deal and return to the Sydney rugby league fishbowl where he pleaded guilty to affray in 2006.

That misdemeanour is thought to behind the decision to deny him a working visa for the UK, where a three-year deal with Hull has fallen through.

A crackdown has also meant Todd Carney, Greg Eastwood and Greg Bird have run into visa problems and been unable to take up offers to play in England.

Crocker has signed with Souths until the end of 2012 and the 28-year-old said his three years in Melbourne had made him older and wiser.

“Obviously there was a lot of reasons why I wanted to go to England, most of them are personal,” he told reporters at Redfern Oval.

“But I think that if we can take anything out of this, it’s that kids these days need to learn a lesson that every action has a consequence and one bad decision I made that ended up in a minor offence a few years ago has cost me that opportunity.”

Crocker was arrested after a drunken brawl outside Coogee’s Beach Palace Hotel in March 2005, when he was a Sydney Roosters player.

He was fined $700 in January 2006 before beginning his first season with the Storm, a stint which yielded three straight grand final appearances and a premiership.

“I think I’ve learned a lot down in my time in Melbourne, I’m a lot older and hopefully a lot wiser,” he said.

“I was a senior player at Melbourne and a leader so I need to … continue that here.”

Crocker, who will be available to play for Souths against the Wests Tigers at the SCG on Sunday week, said his fitness was good and he was available for the Queensland State of Origin side this year if needed.

“Obviously my body’s fresh and I’ve been training a fair bit with Melbourne since January so I’m feeling, if not the best in my career, up there with it,” he said.

“Definitely I’d love to play rep footy. I’m not going to say that I’m not thinking about it because everyone wants to play State of Origin and for their country so it’s definitely in the back of my mind.”

Crocker revealed Souths had played their recruitment ace in negotiations – a motivational phone call from co-owner Russell Crowe.

“I got a couple of phone calls off Russell, obviously he’s a good man to speak to,” he said.

“He actually spoke about horses. My wife’s favourite childhood movie was one of Russell’s first movies (The Silver Brumby) so they had a good chat about that.”

Coach Jason Taylor said Crocker, who has played 10 Origins, six Tests and five grand finals, was part of his plan for building a winning culture again at the Rabbitohs.

“We made some tough decisions coming into this season on the player roster and trying to fill the squad with players who have the attitude that we’re looking for, hard working and no rubbish in what they do, and Michael just slots straight into that,” Taylor said.

“His record speaks for itself.”

© 2009 AAP

Old and wiser, Crocker swaps bad habits for the Rabbits (theaustralian.com.au)

Brent Read | May 09, 2009

MICHAEL Crocker wants others to learn from his mistakes. He wants aspiring footballers to look at his example and realise their actions have consequences.

For Crocker, those consequences have been life-changing. The 28-year-old Queensland and Australia forward should have been in England yesterday. Instead, he was fronting a media conference at Redfern Oval to announce he had signed a deal with South Sydney for the remainder of this year and the three to follow.

As he sat in the refurbished grandstand at Souths’ spiritual home, Crocker looked fit and healthy. But his sunny disposition masked a frustrating four months in which his career was in limbo and stress stripped him of weight.

Crocker had a deal with Super League side Hull stitched up only for British Immigration to deny him a visa because he was convicted of affray three years ago.

His appeal against the decision to deny his visa was rejected this week, ending his hopes of finishing his career in England.

Crocker doesn’t regret the incident which led to his arrest and charge. He would prefer to think he has learnt from his mistakes — and he hopes others do as well.

“If you can take anything out of this, it’s that kids these days need to learn a lesson that every action has a consequence,” he said.

“One bad decision I made that ended up in a minor offence a few years ago has cost me an opportunity.

“If I can stop one person from getting in that same situation, that’s a win for me.”

Crocker was young and wild when the incident occurred. While playing with the Sydney Roosters in 2005, he was covered in capsicum spray by police following a brawl at a nightclub in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Asked whether he realised the consequences of his actions: “At the time I didn’t because that’s the sort of person I was.

“Obviously it’s not a nice situation to be in now. It limits my opportunities in the future. Young boys these days don’t think like that.

“I was the same. It’s something I look back on now and realise it’s a big turning point in my life.”

Crocker is a changed man nowadays. Like he says, nothing good ever happens after 2am. His wife Sally, a British citizen, has helped on that front.

“She’s a person that doesn’t really take kindly to people making mistakes,” he said.

“I know I have to do the right thing not only by her, but by myself.”

His devotion to his wife has exacerbated the pain over the past four months.

While Crocker has been living with former Melbourne teammate Billy Slater, and training with the Storm to keep fit, Sally has been in Sydney spending time with her friends in anticipation of the pair leaving for England. “We packed our house up three or four months ago and we have basically been apart since then,” he said.

“That’s been tough on us. Sally was living up here. I had a few occasions where I lost five or six kilos through stress. Those weeks weren’t too good for me — when I first got rejected and then the last couple of weeks where I have been figuring out what to do.

“I lost four kilos last week. I was eating but it was just stress. I never thought I would be the person to lose weight through stress. But apparently you can.”

Fortunately for Crocker, Souths stepped in. Mind you, it’s not all one way. The Rabbitohs have handed Crocker a lifeline, but the Rabbitohs have also come out of it smelling like roses, having landed a player of significant pedigree.

Crocker is a winner. He plays with intensity and aggression unmatched in the NRL.

“We made some tough decisions coming into this season on the player roster and trying to fill the squad with players who have the attitude we’re looking for — hard work and no rubbish in what they do,” Souths coach Jason Taylor said.

“Michael slots straight into that. His record speaks for itself. To be involved in two clubs that played in three grand finals (each) through that period is pretty impressive.”

Souths first expressed its interest weeks ago when co-owner Russell Crowe rang Crocker last month. The conversation quickly turned from joining Souths to Sally’s love of horses and her favourite children’s film — Crowe’s The Silver Brumby.

Asked whether it was his favourite film, Crocker prompted fits of laughter from the room when he replied: “It is now.”

Asked how pivotal Crowe was in his decision, Crocker said: “He’s a good man to have a chat to.

“Obviously it played a little bit of a part because having a bloke like him around who is so passionate about the club and rugby league filters down.

“My decision wasn’t based purely on him.”

With his future secured, Crocker expects to make his Souths debut next weekend against the Wests Tigers at the SCG. He wants to continue playing representative football and Queensland selectors have already indicated he will be considered.

The opening State of Origin game — to be played at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium on June 3 — may be too soon.

“I would love to play for Queensland,” he said.

“I just have to get out there and focus on my football with Souths. I only played three games in 2005 and they picked me in game one and I played 78 minutes so it just depends on how my body is.

“Physically I feel fresh and ready to go.”

Crocker rejected offer: Storm (leaguehq.com.au)

Stathi Paxinos | May 8, 2009

MELBOURNE Storm made an offer to Michael Crocker earlier this year to play the remainder of the season with his former club, but the back-rower, who was an integral part of the club’s 2007 premiership, turned down the approach because he wanted a long-term deal.

He is now set to join South Sydney on a multi-year contract after he was, for a second time, denied a British working visa, and the move already has Storm coach Craig Bellamy regretting the day he agreed to release Crocker last year.

Crocker’ release from the final year of his contract was based on several factors, not least of which was that no other team in the NRL would benefit from his substantial presence on the field, something Melbourne has been missing this year. But Crocker is set to join the Rabbitohs until the end of 2012, including this season, after the failure of his appeal to the British High Commission against the rejection of his visa application. The refusal has prevented him from taking up a three-year deal reportedly worth almost $1 million with Hull in the British Super League.

The Storm made an informal play for Crocker, who continued to train with team and use its gym facilities, by offering the chance to play the rest of the season — an opportunity that was later filled by Brett Finch when he left Parramatta last month.

However, Storm football operations manager Frank Ponissi said the conversation “didn’t last long at all” because Crocker “was looking for more security” with a longer-term contract. “He (Crocker) has to look after his future so he was looking for something for a couple for years to replace what he’s lost at Hull.

“This is his last contract so he has to make it a good one and we’re not in a position financially to do that. We would love to have Michael Crocker on our team, but we’re not in a position to do it.”

Bellamy said he was disappointed for Crocker but also that his team would now have to face him on the field.

“It seems strange the way it’s turned out. We released him and all of a sudden he’s playing against us. If we knew that was going to happen we wouldn’t have released him, he’d be playing for us,” he said. “But he did a great job while he was here. He was great on the field and off the field and a lot of the players learnt a lot of things off him and he was only a real positive for the place, so there’s no hard feelings.”

]]> http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/11/mick-crocker-signs-with-south-sydney-rabbitohs-news-videos-audio/feed/ 0 Soul of Sydney New Rabbitohs recruit Michael Crocker Michael Crocker South Sydney NRL http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/07/3newscomnz-asotasi-a-better-man-after-year-from-hell-552009/ http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/07/3newscomnz-asotasi-a-better-man-after-year-from-hell-552009/#comments Thu, 07 May 2009 12:37:42 +0000 Soul of Sydney http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/?p=238 ]]> Asotasi a better man after year from hell

Roy Asotasi pictured at Kiwis training and pool session, Monday 4 May

Tue, 05 May 2009 5:02p.m.

Roy Asotasi has no complaints about being overlooked for the Kiwis’ league captaincy — he’s just grateful to be there at all after a horror 2008.

It could hardly have been worse in the black jersey for the 23-test veteran prop last year.

It began when he bravely put his test captaincy on the line to declare no-confidence in then-coach Gary Kemble, and got his wish when Steve Kearney and Wayne Bennett were installed.

Asotasi’s first test under the new duo, a year ago in Sydney, started badly when he was knocked senseless early on and didn’t return. As the test ended he was vomiting in the SCG dressing room.

Then, on the eve of the World Cup campaign, he suffered a torn pectoral muscle which required surgery and ruled him out of the biggest day in New Zealand league history last November.

That was as low as it got for Asotasi, arm in a sling and limping on crutches after clean-up ankle surgery, watching his Kiwi mates tackle the preliminary matches.

“It was pretty tough. I was in a bad place, I had surgery on the ankle and the pec injury, the season was over. You couldn’t ask for anything worse,” said.

“I kept myself busy. I had my wife (Celeste) there supporting me and she was great, that was the only way I could really do it. There was a lot of sleep too.”

When the Kiwis stormed to a memorable 34-20 win at Suncorp Stadium, Asotasi was just starting to jog again and could barely watch.

“After the surgery I couldn’t do anything for three months. I couldn’t even sweat. When I finally got back in November I really started training hard and tried to focus on that rather than the boys winning the World Cup because I was so disappointed not to be there.”

“It was mixed emotions, I was happy the boys got the trophy back in New Zealand in the cabinet.”

Only now does the South Sydney captain, 27, feel he’s nearing peak fitness after his 2008 setbacks.

He was excited to get Kearney’s call last week for Friday’s trans-Tasman test here, but not surprised Benji Marshall was named captain to succeed World Cup skipper Nathan Cayless.

“A lot of people have asked if I’m disappointed but I’m just happy to be back in the side. That was my main focus.”

“I didn’t think once I wanted to get back in as captain. I’m pretty humble and I wanted to make sure I was officially in the team before I celebrated.”

“I’m a better person now than I was in 2008. A lot didn’t go well in club footy or test footy, I learned a lot where you can’t be down on yourself.”

“Being negative drains a lot more energy from you and you feel like you’re pounding yourself into the ground every time something doesn’t go your way.”

And everyone is glad big Roy’s back for the Suncorp showdown, none more so than in-form Kiwis propping partner Adam Blair.

“It definitely brings a lot of strength back into the forwards and makes us even stronger. Everyone follows Roy’s footsteps, he’s going to take the ball forward and everyone will follow him.”

NZPA

Roy making up for lost time

May 7, 2009 – 2:33PM

best signing ever!!!!

Roy Asotasi knows a bit about pain.

Compared to the gut-wrenching agony of sitting on the couch while his team-mates completed one of the greatest upsets in rugby league history, a zipper of stitches above his eye doesn’t begin to register on the scale.

Last November, while the Kiwis were sending their country into heavenly raptures thanks to a scarcely believable 34-20 win in the World Cup final in Brisbane, Asotasi was at home licking his wounds, downcast and dispirited.

A torn pectoral muscle had made him a spectator for the tournament instead of a skipper. The man who took his place, Nathan Cayless, would go on to lead New Zealand rugby league to heights never before scaled.

Asotasi knew he had missed out on something special, possibly a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Football games come and go. World Cups, or more to the point, World Cup final wins over an Australian side boasting a backline dubbed by many as the best of all time, don’t pop up every second Sunday.

The South Sydney captain has likened missing that match to missing a grand final. Such is his desire to have taken part in that contest that he said he would trade in each and every one of his 23 New Zealand caps for just a few minutes on the Suncorp Stadium turf that night.

“That’s what it felt like (missing a grand final). I would sacrifice all my years in the Kiwis for winning a World Cup. They don’t come along very often,” Asotasi said.

“I was very frustrated. But there’s nothing I could do about it. Injuries play a big part in the game, so if you’re not there, you’re not there.”

It was a particularly cruel blow for Asotasi, who put his captaincy and representative career on the line when he lead a revolt in early 2008 against former coach Gary Kemble, a man who Asotasi felt wasn’t equipped with the skills to take New Zealand football where he wanted to go.

Since that moment Asotasi has been a beacon of inspiration for the Kiwis and his club side South Sydney, even if his representative efforts last season didn’t quite match his expectations under the new coaching of Stephen Kearney and Wayne Bennett.

In the Anzac Test of 2008, he played just 10 minutes before being knocked senseless after a run-in with another man mountain, Petero Civoniceva. His pectoral injury, topped off with some ankle surgery, put paid to his World Cup.

“Last year felt like an empty year for me in representative footy. I played only a few minutes in the Anzac Test last year before a concussion and I didn’t take part in the World Cup,” Asotasi said.

Even from across the ditch, Asotasi could “sense the confidence in the air” surrounding New Zealand prior to the World Cup final.

“They were willing to get the job done and showed just that,” he said.

It’s a feeling he hopes to recreate this week as New Zealand tries to show that win wasn’t the exception that proves the rule of Australian dominance. Sporting some sewing above his eye after a horrible cut suffered against the Titans on the weekend, Asotasi hopes to be at the centre of that movement.

Benji Marshall has been installed as captain, a move that sits well with deposed skipper Asotasi, who will focus all of his energies on combating the formidable front row of Civoniceva and Stephen Price, with Luke Bailey ready to rumble from the Roos bench.

“I wasn’t disappointed (about missing the captaincy). I was just happy to be back in the black and white,” Asotasi said. “I bring some experience but I’ll be making sure I just do my job and get the boys going forward. Our form’s been good at our individuals clubs. We just have to gel well come Friday night.”

Civoniceva holds the 27-year-old Asotasi in high regard. Many consider the bustling Bunny to be the game’s best frontrower and although Civoniceva could himself lay claim to that crown, the respect is evident.

“He’s one of their danger men. He’s a great leader. He’s been in great form for Souths and I’m sure he’s looking forward to getting out there Friday night,” Civoniceva said.

“It’s a huge job for us to try and stop his go-forward but we’re up to the challenge.”

]]> http://rabbitohs.wordpress.com/2009/05/07/3newscomnz-asotasi-a-better-man-after-year-from-hell-552009/feed/ 0 Soul of Sydney Roy Asotasi pictured at Kiwis training and pool session, Monday 4 May roy roy