-
Rookie Kangaroo Chris Lawrence is not expecting any favours from his club and Australian coach Tim Sheens when he presses his claim to debut in the Four Nations starting next weekend.
The Wests Tigers centre, who thought his season was over six weeks ago when he broke his jaw in the second last round of the NRL, hadn’t expected to recover for the Finals Series let alone claim a spot in the Kangaroos squad which went into camp at Coogee today.
“It will be good to see a few familiar faces out on the training field with (Tigers captain) Robbie Farah and Tim Sheens … but I am not expecting any favours from Tim,” Lawrence said.
"I’m not confident at all about getting a run. I’m just going to get out on the training paddock and do the best I can.
“If I get to play it’s a bonus. I am really happy to have made the squad and if I don’t get a shot at the centre spot I will be supporting whoever is there.”
Lawrence, 21, is one of seven new faces in the team which opens its Four Nations campaign on Sunday week (Oct 24) against Papua New Guinea at Parramatta Stadium.
“I didn’t really think about Australian selection,” he said. “It’s a bit of a dream really. After breaking my jaw there was a possibility I wouldn’t return before the end of the season. But I was lucky surgery went well - and the Tigers went further in the Finals series - and I was back after three weeks.”
Australian selection also completed a fairy tale season for Dally M winner Todd Carney (Roosters) and Greg Bird (Titans) who both made successful returns to the NRL this year after a season in exile following off-field indiscretions; and for Dean Young (Dragons) who got a call-up the day after winning the NRL Premiership.
The other newcomers are Matt Scott (Cowboys), Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (Raiders) and Nate Myles (Roosters).
The Australian team’s draw for the Four Nations tournament is:
Australia v PNG – Sunday, October 24 – 4pm Parramatta Stadium
Australia v England – Sunday, October 31 – 6.30pm AAMI Park, Melbourne
Australia v New Zealand – Saturday, November 6 – 8.15pm Eden Park, Auckland
The Final will be played on Saturday, November 13, at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, at 7pm.From NRL.Com
-
I would be extremely surprised if he doesn’t get a run.
-
I think Farah and Lawrence will be in the starting side against PNG, which is the game I am going too.
ROO KREW!!!
-
They should both be the first 2 picked - Cmon coach.
-
Does anyone know when the team will be named? Id like to go to the game if our boys are playing.
-
I think Farah and Lawrence will be in the starting side against PNG, which is the game I am going too.
ROO KREW!!!doubt it, I reckon a couple of players won’t get a run at all
-
Tiger keen to impress
October 15, 2010IF THERE is anyone out there who perceives that Chris Lawrence is a Tiger who still needs to earn his Test stripes, he wants desperately to prove them wrong.
Lawrence’s selection for Australia’s Four Nations campaign was unique enough; he has bypassed State of Origin to get within a whisker of a Test jersey.
The fact that his club coach, Tim Sheens, is also the Test coach, might have some suspecting favouritism. And while he was firm enough in his belief that was not the case, he acknowledged he could only answer the question truly with his performances on the field.
‘‘The only way to do that, if you do get an opportunity, is to prove people wrong,’’ Lawrence said. ‘‘Talking about it or saying anything won’t really change it. I’ll have to do it with my actions on the field. If I get the opportunity to get a run, get a Test, I’ll take it with both hands.’’
Glenn Jackson
-
Does anyone know when the team will be named? Id like to go to the game if our boys are playing.
I read somewhere that Sheens said the team probably won’t be named until the Friday before the first
game! CT mentioned the Fifita boys have been named in the squad for Tonga, who play against Samoa
at 1pm before the Aus v PNG game.
BUT, there are no guarantees that any of the Tigers boys will play at all!
Fingers crossed!
-
kool i didnt know that the tonga v samoa game was being played before it
-
Starting spot less likely for Lawrence according to the Tele
Green and gold looms
Steve Gee From: The Daily Telegraph October 16, 2010 12:01AM
THEY were Kangaroos teammates five years ago before a cruel spate of injuries left them in the representative wilderness and doubting they would ever return.Now, Willie Tonga and Brent Tate, who will pair up for the Cowboys next year, are eyeing the sweetest redemption - the return of their Test jumpers.
Tonga last played for Australia in the 2005 Anzac Test before a knee injury a month later opened the door for Queensland teammates Justin Hodges and Greg Inglis.
Tate has endured an even more wretched injury curse since last donning the green and gold against Fiji at the 2008 World Cup, undergoing two knee reconstructions and fracturing his jaw this season.
But with Inglis and Hodges sidelined with injury alongside Manly Test incumbent Jamie Lyon and Panthers flyer Michael Jennings, the veteran duo have been presented with a second bite at the cherry and both are desperate to make up for lost time.
Related Coverage
Tonga, Tate fight to return The Australian, 7 hours ago
Tonga ready to make amends Fox Sports, 13 hours ago
Poms, Kiwis smell Roo meat Courier Mail, 4 Oct 2010
Gidley versus Carney for Kangaroos Daily Telegraph, 4 Oct 2010
Tate, Tonga in 'Roos squad Courier Mail, 4 Oct 2010For Tonga it’s all about proving wrong the doubters, who claimed he would never add to the seven Test appearances in 2004-05.
And yesterday those critics were firmly in his sights.
“I remember specifically a few people writing me off and saying I’d never make it again,” he said. "I don’t really want to mention [who it was], but they know who they are.“Those comments stick in the back of my head and when I’m doing it tough and when I was injured all those times that was the main focus, just to see if I could get back in the rep scene and ultimately wear that green and gold again.”
With both centre berths up for grabs for the opening clash with Papua New Guinea at Parramatta Stadium on October 24, Tonga will be jostling with Wests Tigers rookie Chris Lawrence and Tate, with Dragons fullback Darius Boyd and Eels fullback Jarryd Hayne also in the running.
Thrust into his first Test jersey after playing a starring role in the Bulldogs 2004 premiership, the 27-year-old admits he took selection for granted and feared he would never get another shot.
It was the same for Tate, as the 28-year-old battled the anguish of a broken jaw early this year, after a horrific injury toll that includes two knee reconstructions and that career threatening neck injury that forced him to wear his unmistakable brace.
Tate knows the challenge still lies ahead to reclaim his jersey, but says the continual knock-downs over the past two years have steeled him for anything.
Tate is also relishing the prospect of playing with Tonga again.“It’s quite ironic we’ve both had a bit of an absence and we’re back together and at the Cowboys next year,” he said.
“Its’ a good reward for him too. He’s worked hard. He’s had some big injuries too, so it’s good for him to get back.” -
The cowboys finished last, the tigers finished 3rd i really cant see any justification for Tonga being picked ahead of Lawrence. Lawrence and Tate or Lawrence and Tonga should be the centre pairing.
-
The cowboys finished last, the tigers finished 3rd i really cant see any justification for Tonga being picked ahead of Lawrence. Lawrence and Tate or Lawrence and Tonga should be the centre pairing.
Why not just pick the entire Dragons side and anywhere a kiwi is (such as Nightingale) replace them with a Rooster if that’s your criteria? Tonga had a strong season for the Cowboys, and was excellent in origin for the Maroons, with the injuries in the side, Tonga would be the first centre I’d pick.
-
Im not saying that at all. What i am saying is that Lawrence should be rewarded for a solid season and his teams performance. With the side the cowboys had on paper they should have perfomed alot better than they did, why should they be rewarded for running last? (with the exception of melbourne)
-
Im not saying that at all. What i am saying is that Lawrence should be rewarded for a solid season and his teams performance. With the side the cowboys had on paper they should have perfomed alot better than they did, why should they be rewarded for running last? (with the exception of melbourne)
So you don’t think a guy like Matt Scott deserves his place either?? He’d be one of the first props picked I would think. He’s a monster!
-
Well David Shillington and Petero Civonicieva both played finals football this year and should be rewarded with test spots along with Michael Weyman, Sam Thaiday. Im not doubting Tonga or Scotts ability im just saying that there are more deserving candidates from higher placed teams.
Recent Topics
