http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/wests-tigers/pat-richards-wont-take-birth-certificate-to-wests-tigers-contract-negotiations-20150408-1mgmom.html
Off-contract Wests Tigers winger Pat Richards said his age - he's 33 - shouldn't be a factor in any negotiations he'll have with the club's management when he tries to strike a new deal.
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"I still laugh about it," said Richards of rugby league's age-old age debate. "Some blokes could be finished at 28, it really depends on the player's body. Someone like a Paul Gallen [who, at 33, wants a new deal at Cronulla] hasn't dropped off - as I said, it's all about the body. We're preparing a lot better these days, they're looking after us a lot better with sports science and the recovery sessions. I'm feeling good and if I keep playing well - and the body stays fresh - I'd love to go around again."
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Richards, who scored a try off that Benji Marshall flick pass in the Wests Tigers 2005 grand final victory before he joined the English Super League where he played 224 games for Wigan, declared his intention to play on after producing a man-of-the-match performance in last weekend's 22-6 victory over Parramatta on the weekend
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He managed a miraculous general play kick against the Eels - his 100th NRL appearance - as he was being tackled over the sideline that resulted in a breath-taking four-pointer to fullback James Tedsco hailed the freakiest try you could hope to see.
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While the hit-out against Parramatta was consistent with the form he's displayed since he returned from England last year Richards, who represented Ireland in seven Tests, said injuries were probably his only hope of making his State of Origin debut for NSW.
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"If it [a call from Blues coach Laurie Daley] came it'd be great, but I'm sure it won't," Richards said before training on Wednesday. "I suppose if a few more fall over … but who knows? It's not really on my radar at the moment. I'm trying to play well for the Tigers."
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Wests Tigers forward Martin Taupau was one teammate happy to urge the club's management to draw up a fresh contract for the goalkicking finisher, saying he added invaluable confidence to the NRL's youngest line-up.
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""The older Patty gets the smarter and better he gets as a footballer," said Taupau. "I'm just glad he's on our side. I'd like to see him [signed] for a few more years. He adds a lot, he's got that spark. Everytime he pulls on the jersey you know he's capable of doing something special."
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Second-rower Curtis Sironen was as emphatic about the need to keep Richards, saying he considered him to be a player who could make the seemingly impossible happen. "We love Patty, he's a legend," Sironen said. "He's one of those blokes who can pull [the kick for Tedesco's try] out of his arse and just be so cool, calm and humble about it. It's awesome to have a senior player like him on the wing; he kicks goals and does all those things we need."
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Sironen also insisted a birth certificate shouldn't be used to judge the value of a player. "The way he interacts with the boys you wouldn't know he's one of the oldest," he said of Richards. "'He's there mucking around with us all and I'm very grateful he's one of our teammates.
Off-contract Wests Tigers winger Pat Richards said his age - he's 33 - shouldn't be a factor in any negotiations he'll have with the club's management when he tries to strike a new deal.
>
"I still laugh about it," said Richards of rugby league's age-old age debate. "Some blokes could be finished at 28, it really depends on the player's body. Someone like a Paul Gallen [who, at 33, wants a new deal at Cronulla] hasn't dropped off - as I said, it's all about the body. We're preparing a lot better these days, they're looking after us a lot better with sports science and the recovery sessions. I'm feeling good and if I keep playing well - and the body stays fresh - I'd love to go around again."
>
Richards, who scored a try off that Benji Marshall flick pass in the Wests Tigers 2005 grand final victory before he joined the English Super League where he played 224 games for Wigan, declared his intention to play on after producing a man-of-the-match performance in last weekend's 22-6 victory over Parramatta on the weekend
>
He managed a miraculous general play kick against the Eels - his 100th NRL appearance - as he was being tackled over the sideline that resulted in a breath-taking four-pointer to fullback James Tedsco hailed the freakiest try you could hope to see.
>
While the hit-out against Parramatta was consistent with the form he's displayed since he returned from England last year Richards, who represented Ireland in seven Tests, said injuries were probably his only hope of making his State of Origin debut for NSW.
>
"If it [a call from Blues coach Laurie Daley] came it'd be great, but I'm sure it won't," Richards said before training on Wednesday. "I suppose if a few more fall over … but who knows? It's not really on my radar at the moment. I'm trying to play well for the Tigers."
>
Wests Tigers forward Martin Taupau was one teammate happy to urge the club's management to draw up a fresh contract for the goalkicking finisher, saying he added invaluable confidence to the NRL's youngest line-up.
>
""The older Patty gets the smarter and better he gets as a footballer," said Taupau. "I'm just glad he's on our side. I'd like to see him [signed] for a few more years. He adds a lot, he's got that spark. Everytime he pulls on the jersey you know he's capable of doing something special."
>
Second-rower Curtis Sironen was as emphatic about the need to keep Richards, saying he considered him to be a player who could make the seemingly impossible happen. "We love Patty, he's a legend," Sironen said. "He's one of those blokes who can pull [the kick for Tedesco's try] out of his arse and just be so cool, calm and humble about it. It's awesome to have a senior player like him on the wing; he kicks goals and does all those things we need."
>
Sironen also insisted a birth certificate shouldn't be used to judge the value of a player. "The way he interacts with the boys you wouldn't know he's one of the oldest," he said of Richards. "'He's there mucking around with us all and I'm very grateful he's one of our teammates.
