G
Guest
Guest
Lawrence out to chew through the Kiwis
Ian McCullough
November 5, 2010 - 1:49PM
AAP
Two months after being forced to eat through a straw, Chris Lawrence will complete a remarkable return on Saturday when he makes his Test debut in Australia's Four Nations clash against New Zealand.
The Wests Tigers centre smashed his jaw in his side's NRL win over Melbourne, just two weeks before the finals, and although he returned for the clash against Canberra three weeks later and then played against St George Illawarra in the preliminary final, he admits it was too soon.
"The jaw is hundred per cent now and I had surgery on it right away, but I did come back too early, but it was a do-or-die situation and I would rather do it again than sit out and watch us lose," Lawrence told AAP.
Advertisement: Story continues below
"It was pretty painful when it happened and it was wired up for a week or so and I had screws and a couple of plates put in, but it is all sweet now and probably stronger than it was before.
"I was living just on liquids when I first did it, and that saw me lose a bit of weight, but I am glad I came back when I did otherwise I may not be in this situation now and playing for my country."
Lawrence will be joined in the green and gold for the first time by Todd Carney, Dean Young and Matt Scott at Eden Park, with Sheens selecting seven new faces from the team that beat England in Melbourne.
North Queensland prop Scott will become the first ever resident from the tiny farming town of Ilfracombe in central Queensland, which has a population of 269, to represent Australia at any sport.
"No, I don't think there is anyone else, I keep telling them to put up a statue of me, but I am still waiting!" Scott told AAP.
The 25-year-old has been labelled the new Shane Webcke, and says he will be using the Kiwis clash to try and cement a regular place in the Kangaroos front-row as a long-term successor to veteran bookend Petero Civoniceva, who drops to the bench.
"It is good to be in the No.8 shirt and it doesn't get any higher than playing for your country and I am looking forward to getting out there and showing I am good enough to stay in the side," he said.
Ian McCullough
November 5, 2010 - 1:49PM
AAP
Two months after being forced to eat through a straw, Chris Lawrence will complete a remarkable return on Saturday when he makes his Test debut in Australia's Four Nations clash against New Zealand.
The Wests Tigers centre smashed his jaw in his side's NRL win over Melbourne, just two weeks before the finals, and although he returned for the clash against Canberra three weeks later and then played against St George Illawarra in the preliminary final, he admits it was too soon.
"The jaw is hundred per cent now and I had surgery on it right away, but I did come back too early, but it was a do-or-die situation and I would rather do it again than sit out and watch us lose," Lawrence told AAP.
Advertisement: Story continues below
"It was pretty painful when it happened and it was wired up for a week or so and I had screws and a couple of plates put in, but it is all sweet now and probably stronger than it was before.
"I was living just on liquids when I first did it, and that saw me lose a bit of weight, but I am glad I came back when I did otherwise I may not be in this situation now and playing for my country."
Lawrence will be joined in the green and gold for the first time by Todd Carney, Dean Young and Matt Scott at Eden Park, with Sheens selecting seven new faces from the team that beat England in Melbourne.
North Queensland prop Scott will become the first ever resident from the tiny farming town of Ilfracombe in central Queensland, which has a population of 269, to represent Australia at any sport.
"No, I don't think there is anyone else, I keep telling them to put up a statue of me, but I am still waiting!" Scott told AAP.
The 25-year-old has been labelled the new Shane Webcke, and says he will be using the Kiwis clash to try and cement a regular place in the Kangaroos front-row as a long-term successor to veteran bookend Petero Civoniceva, who drops to the bench.
"It is good to be in the No.8 shirt and it doesn't get any higher than playing for your country and I am looking forward to getting out there and showing I am good enough to stay in the side," he said.
