Fatgodzilla
Beer Soaked Philosopher
- Joined
- 22/5/07
- Messages
- 4,459
- Reaction score
- 117
Bugger the racial fueled SOS2 game .. we already have in place our excuse for losing, the real game starts at 4.20pm on Wednesday. The two "Country" Champions go head to head - those magnificent men in scarlet, Illawarra Steelers against the Gold Coast Vikings. Below is an extract from a Gold Coast
paper.
From the Illawarra Rugby League comes this summary ..
What guess the popular press ignores this game, a real clash of the champions and concentrates on that trite game played alittle later.
SHAME !
ps - Chappo - this on is for us !
paper.
Gold Coast Rugby League - Sammy digs deep
BY GRAHAM CALLAGHAN
SAM Stewart, coach of the victorious Gold Coast Vikings, is digging deep into his vast experience as he prepares his footballers for their toughest match against NSW champions Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday night. Stewart, who played 19 Tests for New Zealand and was the Newcastle Knights' first captain, takes his 18-man squad into training camp for two nights on Monday to add extra polish to his highly-successful side.
He will also have former Origin players attending the camp to speak with his footballers and offer them encouragement with plenty of one-on-one chats.
Vikings go into camp at the Radisson Resort, Carrara, on Monday afternoon before leaving for the Origin 2 curtain-raiser on Wednesday. Selectors have kept the same squad which beat Ipswich, Toowoomba, Brisbane and Townsville to be crowned as Queensland champions and now they take on the powerful Blues counterpart Illawarra.
"Illawarra have won the NSW divisional championship for the last four seasons are headed to Queensland to go into camp for four days," said Stewart.
"They have a very strong, stable squad and I have spoken to people in Newcastle and they said Illawarra had several players with NRL experience.
"We have respect for Illawarra but we are not afraid of them but you have to beat the best to be the best.
"Vikings players have plenty of self belief and after a few more training runs together and some team-bonding sessions they will certainly be at their peak for Wednesday night.
"Whether that's good enough to beat Illawarra doesn't really matter because we can only ask our players to do their absolute best and I'm sure they will do give their all."
"They are certainly upbeat and playing with confidence in eachother's ability at the moment but what I'm really happy with is their defence which is rock solid.
" I think their performance will further improve for this big match which will be a new experience for most players to play on such a big stage.
"I'm fortunate to have played in some really big Tests and my experience will be able to help because the last thing you need if for your players to get stage fright."#
From the Illawarra Rugby League comes this summary ..
MEDIA RELEASE
Date: 15 June 2010
RE: ILLAWARRA MAKE HISTORY BY WINNING THEIR 4TH CHAMPIONSHIP
Illawarra staged a magnificent fight back to win a record fourth straight AAMI Country Rugby League Championship with a thrilling 20-16 victory over Newcastle at Cessnock Sportsground on Saturday (5 June).
Newcastle led 12-0 at half time and stretched that to 16-0 early in the second term before Illawarra piled on 20 unanswered points, the match winning try coming from utility back Nathan Dureau in the 77th minute. With Newcastle clinging to a 16-14 lead, Illawarra hit the front from the 1st time in the game when they moved the football wide and fullback Ben Haran produced a strong run down the left side. On the next play, half back Blake Dureau grubbered cleverly into the Newcastle in-goal and his brother, Nathan Dureau, was on the spot to score a between the posts. Blake Dureau calmly kicked the conversion.
The first half belonged to Newcastle starting with a smart try to half back Dane Queenan in the 10th minute, converted by winger Josh Manteelato for a 6-0 lead.
The Rebels stretched their lead to 12-0 in the 39th minute when centre Mat Cooper scored from a cross field bomb and Manteelato converted.
Newcastle increased their advantage to 16-0 four minutes into the second half when second rower Daniel Metcalf crossed in the right corner.
Illawarra began their fight back in the 52 minute when left winger Joel Ruski scored in the corner.
A massive play came in the 65th minute when Newcastle second rower Bondaniel OConnor broke through from 30m out but a last ditch cover tackle by Nathan Dureau into the left corner prevented a try which could have wrapped up the final for the Rebels. In a huge turnaround, Illawarra turned defence into attack and centre Ryan Smith stepped through to score and cut the deficit to eight points.
Four minutes later Illawarra five eighth Eamon Hillen picked up a loose ball and outpaced the chasers on a 70m run to score between the posts. Blake Dureaus successful conversion meant Newcastles lead had been cut to 16-14.
Then came the Dureau brothers piece of magic that gained Illawarra a 20-16 win.
Illawarra will play the Queensland Country Champions in a curtain-raiser to the second State of Origin match at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday, 16 June.
What guess the popular press ignores this game, a real clash of the champions and concentrates on that trite game played alittle later.
SHAME !
ps - Chappo - this on is for us !
