Granty
13-06-2006, 01:30 AM
http://svc002.wic111cx.server-web.com/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/1586/Default.aspx
Price backs rookie Lillyman for Origin
Monday, June 12, 2006 - 5:50 PM
Queensland warhorse Steve Price believes rookie forward Jacob Lillyman is made of the right stuff to handle his biggest rugby league occasion on Wednesday night.
Lillyman, selected out of the blue for injured warrior Tonie Carroll, has impressed everyone in the Queensland camp with his enthusiasm and zest in the build-up to Wednesday night's State of Origin showdown.
Price, who has played 18 Origins and still regards each selection as "special", says he has not seen a rookie come into camp and look so suited to what's required for the hardest contest in rugby league.
"He's been awesome," said Price, who along with Petero Civoniceva has to lay the platform for Queensland to level the series.
"There's been a lot of focus on him but it seems like he's been in 10 or 12 camps.
"I'm sure he's a little bit nervous but probably more excited.
"He takes a little while to get his sentences out and by the time he's finished, you don't really know what he said.
"But he's a really good kid. I'm really looking forward to seeing him play."
Price, who believes Queensland can square the ledger with some ball control and more early aggression, hasn't seen much of Lillyman but likes what he sees of the newcomer in Origin camp.
"He's really switched on at training, he seems a really tough kid and he listens to all the coaches.
"He's not in awe of the players around him, but he's very excited by the players around him.
"He just tags on the back of blokes like Darren Lockyer and Petero and you can see he's really enjoying the experience.
"You can only tell him to enjoy it and hopefully he'll get to play many, many more."
Price dismissed claims Queensland's forwards were trampled in the first game in Sydney when Willie Mason and Mark O'Meley set upon an over abundance of rookies in the Maroons pack.
"It was a lot like the first game last year when we were up 19-0 at half time and didn't really do too much except control the football," he said.
"Everyone bagged the NSW forwards for being dominated but all it was, was possession and taking our opportunities.
"It was a lot like that in Sydney last month."
Queensland have made adjustments to its pack with Webb and Nate Myles, both aggressive types, starting, giving them something to fire back at the early onslaught and perhaps unsettle NSW who came out roaring in Sydney.
"It felt like we were under the pump for the whole first half," said Price.
"People can say we were dominated by their pack or whatever but when you haven't got the ball it's pretty hard in games like Origins.
"In the second half we showed if we hang onto the ball and play the way Mal Meninga wants us to play then we can score points and hold them out."
Price revealed his move from the Bulldogs to the Warriors two years ago was because he dearly wanted to continue playing Origin football.
His Bulldogs' coach Steve Folkes had wanted him to give representative football away, but Price was not ready to turn his back on Queensland who he has played for since 1998.
"It was one of the reasons I decided to go to the Warriors because Folksie wanted me to stop playing rep footy and concentrate on the Bulldogs.
"But it just means so much to me and I think you have to have something like that to aspire to."
Price said having less players on debut would help Queensland level the series.
"The guys that started were probably blown away a bit," said Price.
"But the guys who were on debut will be a lot better and you probably can't regard Karmichael (Hunt) as being on debut because he's been under the pump for a fair while now and Moggy (Adam Mogg) is a lot older than most rookies so it will be good for him."
Source: AAP
Price backs rookie Lillyman for Origin
Monday, June 12, 2006 - 5:50 PM
Queensland warhorse Steve Price believes rookie forward Jacob Lillyman is made of the right stuff to handle his biggest rugby league occasion on Wednesday night.
Lillyman, selected out of the blue for injured warrior Tonie Carroll, has impressed everyone in the Queensland camp with his enthusiasm and zest in the build-up to Wednesday night's State of Origin showdown.
Price, who has played 18 Origins and still regards each selection as "special", says he has not seen a rookie come into camp and look so suited to what's required for the hardest contest in rugby league.
"He's been awesome," said Price, who along with Petero Civoniceva has to lay the platform for Queensland to level the series.
"There's been a lot of focus on him but it seems like he's been in 10 or 12 camps.
"I'm sure he's a little bit nervous but probably more excited.
"He takes a little while to get his sentences out and by the time he's finished, you don't really know what he said.
"But he's a really good kid. I'm really looking forward to seeing him play."
Price, who believes Queensland can square the ledger with some ball control and more early aggression, hasn't seen much of Lillyman but likes what he sees of the newcomer in Origin camp.
"He's really switched on at training, he seems a really tough kid and he listens to all the coaches.
"He's not in awe of the players around him, but he's very excited by the players around him.
"He just tags on the back of blokes like Darren Lockyer and Petero and you can see he's really enjoying the experience.
"You can only tell him to enjoy it and hopefully he'll get to play many, many more."
Price dismissed claims Queensland's forwards were trampled in the first game in Sydney when Willie Mason and Mark O'Meley set upon an over abundance of rookies in the Maroons pack.
"It was a lot like the first game last year when we were up 19-0 at half time and didn't really do too much except control the football," he said.
"Everyone bagged the NSW forwards for being dominated but all it was, was possession and taking our opportunities.
"It was a lot like that in Sydney last month."
Queensland have made adjustments to its pack with Webb and Nate Myles, both aggressive types, starting, giving them something to fire back at the early onslaught and perhaps unsettle NSW who came out roaring in Sydney.
"It felt like we were under the pump for the whole first half," said Price.
"People can say we were dominated by their pack or whatever but when you haven't got the ball it's pretty hard in games like Origins.
"In the second half we showed if we hang onto the ball and play the way Mal Meninga wants us to play then we can score points and hold them out."
Price revealed his move from the Bulldogs to the Warriors two years ago was because he dearly wanted to continue playing Origin football.
His Bulldogs' coach Steve Folkes had wanted him to give representative football away, but Price was not ready to turn his back on Queensland who he has played for since 1998.
"It was one of the reasons I decided to go to the Warriors because Folksie wanted me to stop playing rep footy and concentrate on the Bulldogs.
"But it just means so much to me and I think you have to have something like that to aspire to."
Price said having less players on debut would help Queensland level the series.
"The guys that started were probably blown away a bit," said Price.
"But the guys who were on debut will be a lot better and you probably can't regard Karmichael (Hunt) as being on debut because he's been under the pump for a fair while now and Moggy (Adam Mogg) is a lot older than most rookies so it will be good for him."
Source: AAP