You may be making your Wests Tigers debut, but first get a haircut son: Rob Austin tells son Blake
Josh Massoud •
The Daily Telegraph •
April 10, 201412:00AM
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ON Tuesday night Rob Austin collared his son Blake and imparted a crucial home truth.
“I told him, ‘You can’t go playing first grade with that puncey haircut’,” Rob recalled.
“I’d been at him to get it chopped off for ages, because, like most dads, I’m from the old era. “He’s a good boy, Blake, so thankfully he listened.”
Such parental respect is a welcome throwback to yesteryear, which is fitting given Blake Austin’s humble track to the top.
The new buzz cut Austin will sport for his first NRL outing with the Wests Tigers is symbolic of his no-nonsense lifestyle that includes three-hour train trips and coaching a team of troubled teens from Doonside.
Released from the final year of his contract with the Panthers at the end of last season, Austin’s exile has ended with a call-up to replace suspended five eighth Braith Anasta against the Cowboys at Campbelltown on Saturday night.
But first came the razor.
“His finance did the haircut at our place — and she was actually crying because she loved his hair as it was,” Rob revealed.
“In the past I’ve just shook my head and let it go. But I was really into him about it this time, and I think the skinhead look is much better.”
Not that many league fans would regonise the difference.
Austin has rode the rails in total obscurity from Penrith to Burwood for training sessions since last October, having lost his drivers’ license.
“Catching the train is a little thing that keeps me grounded and reminds me that I haven’t made it yet,” Austin said.
“I usually have to get up at around 5:45am. No one recognises me, and I’ve only fallen asleep and ended up at Central once.”
Austin managed just 16 NRL games for Penrith after making his top grade debut in 2011.
He suffered two shoulder injuries and a foot complaint over the ensuing three seasons, but also puts the meagre appearance count down to a lack of certainty over his role at the foot of the mountains.
“That’s been the best thing about coming to the Tigers — they told me straight that I was bought to play five eighth, and that I would get a chance at five eighth at some stage,” he said.
“At Penrith I was moved between five eighth and lock and that meant my weight and training fluctuated a lot. It wasn’t so much that I had a preference, I just wanted to know which position to prepare for. I could say Penrith stuffed me around, but in the end I think I needed to get out and start afresh.”
With his sights on Benji Marshall’s vacant No. 6 jersey, Austin didn’t have a break after guiding Windsor Wolves to last year’s NSW Cup decider.
He instead pounded the coastal runs around Coogee with his agent, Tyran Smith, and reported at the Tigers six kilograms lighter.
Despite encouraging form in the trials, Austin knew coach Mick Potter’s plan was to rely on Anasta’s experience to help teenage half-back Luke Brooks settle into first grade over the opening weeks.
Anasta’s first-ever suspension has now opened the door for Austin to return, albeit in challenging circumstances opposite the game’s top playmaker, Johnathan Thurston.
“I understand that this chance might only be for one game, with Braith due back next week,” Austin said.
“But I’m just so excited to be given another chance. I feel a lot more ready this time than at Penrith.”
