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The gamble that paid off for Sue and Brown
Thursday 4 October 2012 4:25 PM
The gamble that paid off for Sue and Brown
It was the secret fitness test that paid major dividends in Wests Tigers winning the NYC Premiership.
The scene was Concord Oval last Saturday morning, just over 24 hours before Wests Tigers tackled Canberra Raiders in the U20s Grand Final.
On one side was hard working prop Sauaso Sue, trying his very best to overcome nerve damage to his right shoulder so he wouldn’t miss the season decider.
Standing opposite and barking orders to ‘run at him’ was none other than Wests Tigers NYC Coach Todd Payten – the former 2005 premiership winning prop.
“Sauaso was ruled out on Tuesday with nerve damage. He couldn’t lift or raise his arm,’’ Payten revealed.
“We gave him a real tough physical on Saturday. He took a few bumps with the hit pad but I told the trainers to get rid of it because it wasn’t going to prove anything.
“I told Sauaso to run onto the ball and I would tackle him. We did that about four or five times and then we did some two on one tackles.
“I needed to know myself it Sauaso was going to be right. His shoulder improved dramatically each day and it wasn't until he passed the fitness test that we decided to play him. I’m glad he played. He won our Players’ Player award.”
It wasn’t the only gamble Payten took, having rolled the dice with impressive young prop Nathan Brown.
“Nathan had a similar ankle injury to (winger) Patty Richards in the 2005 Grand Final. He only played 10 minutes against Canberra but we were fortunate it didn't cost us,’’ Payten admitted.
“Had it been a tight game and we were a front rower down in the rotation, the end of the match would have been extremely nerve wracking.”
A few days later, Payten is sporting some massive bruises near his left shoulder as a result of putting his ‘body’ on the line. At least he has a premiership medal to go with it.
So do Sue and Brown.
Thursday 4 October 2012 4:25 PM
The gamble that paid off for Sue and Brown
It was the secret fitness test that paid major dividends in Wests Tigers winning the NYC Premiership.
The scene was Concord Oval last Saturday morning, just over 24 hours before Wests Tigers tackled Canberra Raiders in the U20s Grand Final.
On one side was hard working prop Sauaso Sue, trying his very best to overcome nerve damage to his right shoulder so he wouldn’t miss the season decider.
Standing opposite and barking orders to ‘run at him’ was none other than Wests Tigers NYC Coach Todd Payten – the former 2005 premiership winning prop.
“Sauaso was ruled out on Tuesday with nerve damage. He couldn’t lift or raise his arm,’’ Payten revealed.
“We gave him a real tough physical on Saturday. He took a few bumps with the hit pad but I told the trainers to get rid of it because it wasn’t going to prove anything.
“I told Sauaso to run onto the ball and I would tackle him. We did that about four or five times and then we did some two on one tackles.
“I needed to know myself it Sauaso was going to be right. His shoulder improved dramatically each day and it wasn't until he passed the fitness test that we decided to play him. I’m glad he played. He won our Players’ Player award.”
It wasn’t the only gamble Payten took, having rolled the dice with impressive young prop Nathan Brown.
“Nathan had a similar ankle injury to (winger) Patty Richards in the 2005 Grand Final. He only played 10 minutes against Canberra but we were fortunate it didn't cost us,’’ Payten admitted.
“Had it been a tight game and we were a front rower down in the rotation, the end of the match would have been extremely nerve wracking.”
A few days later, Payten is sporting some massive bruises near his left shoulder as a result of putting his ‘body’ on the line. At least he has a premiership medal to go with it.
So do Sue and Brown.
