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Farah backs Lawrence to shine for Blues
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Joe Barton AAP Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:14:40
Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah expects young centre Chris Lawrence to build on his Australian debut and break through into the NSW Origin team in 2011.
After seeing the progress the 22-year-old made while with Australia’s Four Nations squad this year, Farah has no doubt Lawrence is ready for the rough and tumble of the Origin arena.
Lawrence scored a try on his international debut in Australia’s victory over New Zealand in November, but was dropped for the final a week later when his Wests Tigers teammate Benji Marshall masterminded a late upset over Australia.
Lawrence, who was named in a 40-man NSW squad in 2009, has been completing gruelling gym sessions with Farah before club training officially starts in the new year.
Farah has seen a determination in the youngster’s eye that has convinced the fiery hooker that Lawrence is ready for a big season.
“Next year is a big year for him,” Farah told AAP.
"I think he got a lot out of the experience that he got in the Four Nations, and I know he was disappointed that he missed out on the team in the final.
"He’s a kid with a lot of ambition and he sets himself high goals, and I know next year he’s looking to go one step further and make his Origin debut and try and cement a spot for the Aussie side.
“And if I was a betting man I’d be backing him all the way in. He’s a great kid, a very professional kid, and in my opinion one of the best centres in the game.”
Farah, who made his Origin debut for the Blues in 2009, said the Tigers junior would have no trouble handling the Origin arena - and would in fact revel in the challenge of stopping the Queensland juggernaut.
“Without a doubt he could handle himself in Origin, I think he’s tipping the scales at about 100 kilos at the moment and he’s one of the fastest players in the game,” Farah added.
"He’d handle it standing on his head. I don’t think that would be a problem, he wouldn’t take a backward step. I think if anythingit would probably bring out the best in him.
"I think everybody forgets he’s only 22 as well … He’s still a young fella but he is one of the more senior players in our side and a player that everyone looks up to.
"He leads by example whether it be off the field, at training or during the game.
“For a kid of his age, I think it speaks highly of the direction he’s heading in.”
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I saw Lawrence at Tiger Tiger last week and he is looking very fit. Its good to see he and Farah are keen to keep in shape in the gym during their time off after rep duties.
I have no doubt Chris would be very solid in Origin and once he had at least 1 game under his belt, and given the right support from players like Robbie (he has to be picked next year), then I reckon he would go on to be one of our better Blues centres.
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lovin it
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Good to see the commitment from both players, hope they enjoy working together that much that Chris resigns with the WTs.
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Provided he’s injury-free, Lawrence will play for NSW in 2011. He’s still improving and the 4 nations experience would have definitely helped him mature as a player.
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Provided he’s injury-free, Lawrence will play for NSW in 2011. He’s still improving and the 4 nations experience would have definitely helped him mature as a player.
Definitely. With Laurie off the selection panel, I think we will see much smarter selections overall.
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No Scoop here - Lawrence to become a NSW institution.
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No Scoop here - Lawrence to become a NSW institution.
A WestsTigers one club man would be better.
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@851:
No Scoop here - Lawrence to become a NSW institution.
A WestsTigers one club man would be better.
I’m greedy - I want both.
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Who should partner him? Lyon or Jennings? Not a fan of Morris or Idris at origin level
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Lyon is used by
Jennings for sure
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Goota be Lawrence and Jennings. Throw Hayne on one wing and then Gordon on the other with Dugan at Fullback and I think the blues have a pretty handy backline in 2011.
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The QLD era of dominance is ending soon.
Now where’s that SOO Thread
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Good on Robbie…he is spot on the money. He’ll be there as well.
Chris is a tough tough kid, as evidenced by his early return from that broken jaw v Raiders…what a sight that was to turn up to the game and see him warming up.
The new look blues backline next year could very well trouble the Maroons…for a while at least lol.
