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Mitch Brown: I'm not scared of you, Jarryd Hayne
Christian Nicolussi From: The Daily Telegraph March 24, 2010 12:00AM
HE IS the Tigers debutant who will line up opposite the greatest No.1 in rugby league - but the softly-spoken Mitch Brown last night said he was more than ready for the David-versus-Goliath showdown against Eels superstar Jarryd Hayne.
Coach Tim Sheens yesterday gave former Shark Brown the nod to start at fullback on Friday instead of shifting dual international Lote Tuqiri off the wing as cover for new halfback Tim Moltzen.
Yet Brown, 22, was anything but a bundle of nerves about the prospect of going toe-to-toe with excitement machine Hayne.
"I've played against Jarryd a few times and hopefully I can hold my own against him and, if I can do that, maybe get my foot further in the door at the Tigers," Brown said.
"I'm not so much surprised [about being selected]. If anything I was hoping to get a start at fullback or even on the wing. I'm more than up for it and will have to put in 100 per cent - if not more."
Fox Sports statistics paints a bleak picture for Tigers fans hoping Brown will help halt the white-hot Hayne.
During 26 matches last year, Hayne scored 14 tries, made 16.6 runs for an average 175m, made 178 tackle busts and 37 offloads. Brown, who stepped out for the Sharks 19 times - and watched Hayne in action during the grand final with mates at popular Cronulla watering hole Northies - scored just four tries, made 11.1 runs for an average 86m, 37 tackles busts and four offloads.
As Hayne sparked a late fightback against Manly at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday, Brown suffered a concussion before completing a NSW Cup match for Balmain against Wests before a few die-hards at Leichhardt Oval.
The former Australian schoolboy expects the Eels to direct traffic in his direction, but he said Hayne would also be shown few favours.
Tigers backrower Gareth Ellis said "stopping Hayne" was the key to beating Parramatta, while Tuqiri said Hayne was "one of the best in the game, if not the best".
"They will look at my game and try and find any weaknesses," Brown said before he quipped: "If worse comes to worst I'll give the ball to the big fella [Tuqiri] to take up.
"Jarryd is the most watched player in the competition so there is more than enough video on him to study his game."
Brown trained in searing heat at Concord late yesterday with the rest of the Tigers, including Ellis, whose corked calf will not keep him out of action. Moltzen was shifted to halfback for Robert Lui, who will be missing for six weeks because of an ankle complaint, with possible No. 7 Arana Taumata overlooked in order to gain more fitness.
Interestingly, Moltzen and Benji Marshall have combined at halfback and five-eighth five times for five victories.
In a thrilling battle between two of Sydney's most popular clubs, Tuqiri will be up against former Waratahs and Wallabies teammate Timana Tahu, and Jason Cayless will lock horns with older brother, Eels skipper Nathan Cayless.
Christian Nicolussi From: The Daily Telegraph March 24, 2010 12:00AM
HE IS the Tigers debutant who will line up opposite the greatest No.1 in rugby league - but the softly-spoken Mitch Brown last night said he was more than ready for the David-versus-Goliath showdown against Eels superstar Jarryd Hayne.
Coach Tim Sheens yesterday gave former Shark Brown the nod to start at fullback on Friday instead of shifting dual international Lote Tuqiri off the wing as cover for new halfback Tim Moltzen.
Yet Brown, 22, was anything but a bundle of nerves about the prospect of going toe-to-toe with excitement machine Hayne.
"I've played against Jarryd a few times and hopefully I can hold my own against him and, if I can do that, maybe get my foot further in the door at the Tigers," Brown said.
"I'm not so much surprised [about being selected]. If anything I was hoping to get a start at fullback or even on the wing. I'm more than up for it and will have to put in 100 per cent - if not more."
Fox Sports statistics paints a bleak picture for Tigers fans hoping Brown will help halt the white-hot Hayne.
During 26 matches last year, Hayne scored 14 tries, made 16.6 runs for an average 175m, made 178 tackle busts and 37 offloads. Brown, who stepped out for the Sharks 19 times - and watched Hayne in action during the grand final with mates at popular Cronulla watering hole Northies - scored just four tries, made 11.1 runs for an average 86m, 37 tackles busts and four offloads.
As Hayne sparked a late fightback against Manly at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday, Brown suffered a concussion before completing a NSW Cup match for Balmain against Wests before a few die-hards at Leichhardt Oval.
The former Australian schoolboy expects the Eels to direct traffic in his direction, but he said Hayne would also be shown few favours.
Tigers backrower Gareth Ellis said "stopping Hayne" was the key to beating Parramatta, while Tuqiri said Hayne was "one of the best in the game, if not the best".
"They will look at my game and try and find any weaknesses," Brown said before he quipped: "If worse comes to worst I'll give the ball to the big fella [Tuqiri] to take up.
"Jarryd is the most watched player in the competition so there is more than enough video on him to study his game."
Brown trained in searing heat at Concord late yesterday with the rest of the Tigers, including Ellis, whose corked calf will not keep him out of action. Moltzen was shifted to halfback for Robert Lui, who will be missing for six weeks because of an ankle complaint, with possible No. 7 Arana Taumata overlooked in order to gain more fitness.
Interestingly, Moltzen and Benji Marshall have combined at halfback and five-eighth five times for five victories.
In a thrilling battle between two of Sydney's most popular clubs, Tuqiri will be up against former Waratahs and Wallabies teammate Timana Tahu, and Jason Cayless will lock horns with older brother, Eels skipper Nathan Cayless.
