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Sironen follows in father's footsteps after call-up to baby Blues squad
November 18, 2012
Adrian Proszenko
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CURTIS SIRONEN has taken the first step towards becoming only the fifth father-son combination to play in State of Origin after being selected for Laurie Daley's Blues Origin Pathways Camp.
NSW powerbrokers have invited 56 of the state's most talented teenagers to a three-day camp at the Sydney Academy of Sport at Narrabeen from November 30\. Headlining the list is Wests Tigers playmaker Sironen, the son of 14-time Blues representative Paul. The Australian Schoolboys star has already made an impact at NRL level, slotting into the halves alongside Benji Marshall before a shoulder injury restricted him to six first-grade appearances.
Sironen remains a contender for a Tigers halves spot for next year, with new coach Mick Potter yet to choose between him, Braith Anasta or Jacob Miller as Marshall's long-term partner. Given his size - the 19 year old already stands at 194cm and weighs 97kg - he will also be a contender for a backrow position, particularly after the loss of Chris Heighington to Cronulla.
Should he graduate to full Origin honours, Sironen will follow Craig and Dean Young, Wayne and Mitchell Pearce, Eric and Eric Grothe jnr and the Morris family of Steve, Brett and Josh as father-son representatives for NSW.
Other notable selections for the NSWRL Origin Pathways Camp include Canberra three-quarter Jack Wighton, Canterbury's NYC player of the year David Klemmer and Wests Tigers prodigy Mitchell Moses, the nephew of Blues great Benny Elias. Other familiar names include Jackson Garlick, the son of former Rabbitohs captain Sean, Nathan Aubusson, the younger sibling of NRL players James and Mitchell, and Dean Britt, son of former Bulldog Darren. James Roberts is another with NRL experience, notching 10 games for the Rabbitohs before being sacked for off-field indiscretions. The nephew of former NRL star, Amos, recently signed a two-year deal with Penrith.
Daley is excited by the prospect of casting his eye over the likes of Sironen and Wighton. ''They are guys with a big future and the possibilities are endless for them in terms of playing rugby league at the highest level,'' Daley said. ''It will be great to see how they continue along their path in years to come. This is something we believe is beneficial towards their goal of playing Origin at some point in their future.''
Blues high-performance manager Wayne Portlock played an integral role in putting the squad together. He said seven members of Ricky Stuart's inaugural pathways programs had already gone on to play Origin. ''Players like Curtis Sironen and Jack Wighton have obviously tasted first grade and their experience in first grade is what we're looking for to lead some of the younger kids around through the first few years of Toyota Cup,'' Portlock said.
''They have both been involved in NSW pathways playing 16 and 18s for the Blues and the goal is for players to pass through those pathways and move into Origin.''
Blues powerbrokers will invite the best players from younger age groups to a camp on January 10, followed by a Blues in Waiting Camp for those on the cusp of senior selection. Under the rubbery eligibility rules - which will soon be overhauled - there's a chance dual international Sonny Bill Williams could qualify for the Blues. However, Daley ruled out making a play for the Roosters recruit. ''I wouldn't have thought he'd be a New South Welshman, I reckon he'd be a very proud Kiwi,'' Daley said. "
November 18, 2012
Adrian Proszenko
\
\
CURTIS SIRONEN has taken the first step towards becoming only the fifth father-son combination to play in State of Origin after being selected for Laurie Daley's Blues Origin Pathways Camp.
NSW powerbrokers have invited 56 of the state's most talented teenagers to a three-day camp at the Sydney Academy of Sport at Narrabeen from November 30\. Headlining the list is Wests Tigers playmaker Sironen, the son of 14-time Blues representative Paul. The Australian Schoolboys star has already made an impact at NRL level, slotting into the halves alongside Benji Marshall before a shoulder injury restricted him to six first-grade appearances.
Sironen remains a contender for a Tigers halves spot for next year, with new coach Mick Potter yet to choose between him, Braith Anasta or Jacob Miller as Marshall's long-term partner. Given his size - the 19 year old already stands at 194cm and weighs 97kg - he will also be a contender for a backrow position, particularly after the loss of Chris Heighington to Cronulla.
Should he graduate to full Origin honours, Sironen will follow Craig and Dean Young, Wayne and Mitchell Pearce, Eric and Eric Grothe jnr and the Morris family of Steve, Brett and Josh as father-son representatives for NSW.
Other notable selections for the NSWRL Origin Pathways Camp include Canberra three-quarter Jack Wighton, Canterbury's NYC player of the year David Klemmer and Wests Tigers prodigy Mitchell Moses, the nephew of Blues great Benny Elias. Other familiar names include Jackson Garlick, the son of former Rabbitohs captain Sean, Nathan Aubusson, the younger sibling of NRL players James and Mitchell, and Dean Britt, son of former Bulldog Darren. James Roberts is another with NRL experience, notching 10 games for the Rabbitohs before being sacked for off-field indiscretions. The nephew of former NRL star, Amos, recently signed a two-year deal with Penrith.
Daley is excited by the prospect of casting his eye over the likes of Sironen and Wighton. ''They are guys with a big future and the possibilities are endless for them in terms of playing rugby league at the highest level,'' Daley said. ''It will be great to see how they continue along their path in years to come. This is something we believe is beneficial towards their goal of playing Origin at some point in their future.''
Blues high-performance manager Wayne Portlock played an integral role in putting the squad together. He said seven members of Ricky Stuart's inaugural pathways programs had already gone on to play Origin. ''Players like Curtis Sironen and Jack Wighton have obviously tasted first grade and their experience in first grade is what we're looking for to lead some of the younger kids around through the first few years of Toyota Cup,'' Portlock said.
''They have both been involved in NSW pathways playing 16 and 18s for the Blues and the goal is for players to pass through those pathways and move into Origin.''
Blues powerbrokers will invite the best players from younger age groups to a camp on January 10, followed by a Blues in Waiting Camp for those on the cusp of senior selection. Under the rubbery eligibility rules - which will soon be overhauled - there's a chance dual international Sonny Bill Williams could qualify for the Blues. However, Daley ruled out making a play for the Roosters recruit. ''I wouldn't have thought he'd be a New South Welshman, I reckon he'd be a very proud Kiwi,'' Daley said. "
