AARON WOODS 'STOKED' OVER CITY JERSEY

[Guest]

AARON WOODS 'STOKED' OVER CITY JERSEY
By Wayne Cousins
15/04/2012 10:22:00 PM

‘Stoked, massive, unbelievable’ is how Aaron Woods described the feeling of earning his first senior representative jersey.

The tearaway 21-year-old Wests Tigers prop could not stop smiling after being congratulated by City Coach Brad Fittler on being named to play against Country Origin at Mudgee on Friday, April 20.

His selection followed a superb man of the match performance in the 30-0 win over Penrith at Centrebet Stadium.

“I’m looking forward to meeting all of the boys and getting coached by ‘Freddy’ (Fittler). It is unbelievable. He was one of my favourite players as a kid,’’ Woods said.

“I can’t wait.”

Selection in the City Origin side is a fine reward for the hardworking Woods who has already been touted as a future NSW Origin player after just one full season in the NRL. He has been a member of the NSW Emerging Blues squad for the past two seasons.

“All of the hard work I’ve put in at training is starting to pay off. I just focus on doing those extra one per centres in games,’’ Woods said.

“I just want to be more consistent with Wests Tigers and win more games and that can lead to bigger and better things.”

Woods will feel right at home during City Origin camp with Wests Tigers team-mates Chris Lawrence, Keith Galloway, Robbie Farah and Liam Fulton also in the side.

 

[Goose]

Good, that he is so excited to be in the team…good on him

 

[Andyvee]

Stepping stone of big things to come…...well done!

 

[Tigerdave]

Hope he has a really good game, he's been great for us this year and it's even more impressive given how poorly the side has been travelling.

 

[Frank_the_tank]

Great work, been playing like a dead set champion ths year, keep it up big fella

 

[happy_tiger]

Don't think I have seen Aaron ever not have a smile on his dial Good thing obviously , still think he is a chance at Origin selection in 2012 Keep up the good work big fella

 

[Guest]

If he has a strong game for City, he could be half a chance at getting a spot on the bench for the Blues. He's got a good motor on him and he continually pushes forward in attack.

 

[tigersrule4life]

One of the best fowards in the game go woodsy show them what you got.

 

[Tigerdale]

for supercoach purposes, i hope he doesn't get a NSW gig until at least game 3 :laughing:

 

[Guest]

AARON WOODS TO RETURN A BETTER PLAYER
By Wayne Cousins
17/04/2012 11:48:37 AM

Prop Aaron Woods will return from his City Origin experience a much more confident player in the eyes of three Wests Tigers internationals.

Benji Marshall, Robbie Farah and Chris Lawrence believe Woods will make a strong impact in his first senior representative game. Woods will join Farah, Lawrence and Liam Fulton in the City Origin side to play Country Origin at Mudgee on Sunday, April 22.

Farah said Woods’ selection was a well deserved reward for his strong start to the season.

“For a side that has won two of our seven games, Aaron has been our most consistent player week in, week out,’’ Farah said.

“He has had a big job in front of him in pretty much leading our forward pack with Keith Galloway, Gareth Ellis and Chris Heighington being out at various stages through injury. He handled it well and I’m sure he will have a big game for City.”

Marshall, the New Zealand Test Captain, said Woods’ selection was a reward for his hard work over the past few years.

“I’m very, very happy for him. He has been training at Wests Tigers since he was 15 and just his attitude and his work rate around training reflects the way he has been playing,’’ Marshall said.

“As one of the senior players in his team, I am very proud of him. I’ve seen him grow throughout the U20s to now playing in the NRL.

“When we lost Keith, he was our number one front-rower and he has been leading us strongly. I really hope he does well for City.

“Being in a rep side like this, he will gain plenty of confidence. He will be able to look at the senior players around him and see how they prepare and operate. He just needs to be confident in that rep arena. I see big things for Aaron Woods.”

Lawrence said Woods will be able to view himself in a different light.

“It will do his confidence a world of good. He has been killing it for Wests Tigers,’’ Lawrence said.

“A game like City-Country will prove to Aaron that he is up there with some of the best props in the game.”