Tweet
http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/tre...-1226680314465
BEFORE this season started Trent Robinson put the Roosters on a bus and took them for a drive around Sydney's eastern suburbs.
It was a sight-seeing tour that has taken four players all the way to ANZ Stadium for tonight's State of Origin decider.
The idea behind the bus trip was to give the players an understanding that they were a footy team representing more than Sydney's social elite.
It was about making them aware of the history and what the team means to the people who live in the area and trying to get them to buy into a cultural change.
Before he arrived at Bondi, the Roosters were a rabble as well known for their nights on the town and the girls they were dating as performances on the field.
Today they sit second on the NRL ladder and when was the last time you spotted any of them in the social pages?
You are entitled to wonder if Robinson never arrived, would Mitchell Pearce, James Maloney, Michael Jennings and Boyd Cordner be stepping off the Blues team bus on Wednesday?
Perhaps they would but would you have had any faith in them?
Rooster Blues
James Maloney, Michael Jennings, Boyd Cordner and Mitchell Pearce ready for Game 3 of the Origin series .
Craig Fitzgibbon has been around the Roosters long enough to know when he sees something special.
A former skipper and now assistant coach, Fitzgibbon says he sees it in this rookie coach.
"It's hard to pin-point what it is about him," Fitzgibbon said.
"It's just for the players and even us coaches, he has an uncanny knack of making you feel you want to do well for him. That's about as best as I can put it."
Whatever the reason, Robinson’s influence is rubbing off on his players.
Pearce is the one we have noticed the biggest change in.
A couple of years back Pearce made headlines for dating Pussy Cat Dolls and Playboy Pets. Now he’s settled down, they all say, and you see it in his smile.
That’s what Daley picked out before any of us did this year and the Blues coach said at the time, it all pointed back to what was going on behind the scenes at the Roosters.
It was a big part of the reason why Daley picked Pearce out as his NSW halfback even before the season started.
"Mitchell looks happy and he looks fit," Daley told us at the time.
"It seems as though Mitchell has sorted some things out that probably needed sorting out. Now his focus is back on being a footballer."
Fitzgibbon agrees much of the change can be attributed back to the coach.
"That's exactly it," he said in reference to Daley's description.
"Junior is just really clear on what he needs to do and he is delivering what Trent is asking of him.
"We all love him and he has so many wonderful attributes. That is why I get filthy when I hear people bagging him.
"It is good to see him happy and smiling and enjoying himself."
Similarly, Maloney was at the Warriors last year and put himself out of Origin contention due to his own form but he has rediscovered his brilliance alongside Pearce.
Just like Jennings, who was unwanted at Penrith because his attitude didn't reflect his pay packet.
Yet at this club formerly known as Sydney City Confidential, the flashy centre hasn’t stepped a foot out of place all season.
And then you get to this youngster of the Blues side, who everyone is already talking up as a future NSW captain.
Cordner only turned 21 last month but on Wednesday will make his debut in what is being billed as the most important Origin game in the history of NSW rugby league.
Is he up to it?
Fitzgibbon should know.
He was there the day Boyd arrived with his father Chris as a 15 year old.
From that first meeting, Fitzgibbon says, there was just something about the kid.
"I met him in the sheds before a game with his brother and his father," Fitzgibbon recalled.
"Even the way Boyd shook hands as a young fella, he just really impressed me.
"You know when you just meet someone and they make that impression on you?
"He had a nice firm handshake and he looked me in the eyes and we just had a real good conversation.
"All three of them were terrific people, really grounded.
"And even the first time he came out and trained with us he just took it to us. He was so composed for a kid and he just took everything in his stride. And he still is."
Laurie Daley privately says Cordner reminds him of a young Brad Clyde.
For anyone who knows the game of rugby league, that is about as big a compliment as you can give a young back-rower.
You weigh in the adversity and challenges he has overcome to get to this day. Cordner lost his mother as a little boy, and as a footballer has already fought back from a broken jaw and four serious knee operations.
Remember, he just turned 21.
Yet Fitzgibbon has no fears for him on Wednesday night.
He says it is almost like Boyd was born for this night.
"He captained the NSW under 20s team last year. He was in the Emerging Blues. He played for Country. You can't say this was always on the cards but he was earmarked for this at a young age and he hasn't let anyone down," Fitzgibbon added.
"It might have shocked everyone that it happened so quick but he is a special player."
BEFORE this season started Trent Robinson put the Roosters on a bus and took them for a drive around Sydney's eastern suburbs.
It was a sight-seeing tour that has taken four players all the way to ANZ Stadium for tonight's State of Origin decider.
The idea behind the bus trip was to give the players an understanding that they were a footy team representing more than Sydney's social elite.
It was about making them aware of the history and what the team means to the people who live in the area and trying to get them to buy into a cultural change.
Before he arrived at Bondi, the Roosters were a rabble as well known for their nights on the town and the girls they were dating as performances on the field.
Today they sit second on the NRL ladder and when was the last time you spotted any of them in the social pages?
You are entitled to wonder if Robinson never arrived, would Mitchell Pearce, James Maloney, Michael Jennings and Boyd Cordner be stepping off the Blues team bus on Wednesday?
Perhaps they would but would you have had any faith in them?
Rooster Blues
James Maloney, Michael Jennings, Boyd Cordner and Mitchell Pearce ready for Game 3 of the Origin series .
Craig Fitzgibbon has been around the Roosters long enough to know when he sees something special.
A former skipper and now assistant coach, Fitzgibbon says he sees it in this rookie coach.
"It's hard to pin-point what it is about him," Fitzgibbon said.
"It's just for the players and even us coaches, he has an uncanny knack of making you feel you want to do well for him. That's about as best as I can put it."
Whatever the reason, Robinson’s influence is rubbing off on his players.
Pearce is the one we have noticed the biggest change in.
A couple of years back Pearce made headlines for dating Pussy Cat Dolls and Playboy Pets. Now he’s settled down, they all say, and you see it in his smile.
That’s what Daley picked out before any of us did this year and the Blues coach said at the time, it all pointed back to what was going on behind the scenes at the Roosters.
It was a big part of the reason why Daley picked Pearce out as his NSW halfback even before the season started.
"Mitchell looks happy and he looks fit," Daley told us at the time.
"It seems as though Mitchell has sorted some things out that probably needed sorting out. Now his focus is back on being a footballer."
Fitzgibbon agrees much of the change can be attributed back to the coach.
"That's exactly it," he said in reference to Daley's description.
"Junior is just really clear on what he needs to do and he is delivering what Trent is asking of him.
"We all love him and he has so many wonderful attributes. That is why I get filthy when I hear people bagging him.
"It is good to see him happy and smiling and enjoying himself."
Similarly, Maloney was at the Warriors last year and put himself out of Origin contention due to his own form but he has rediscovered his brilliance alongside Pearce.
Just like Jennings, who was unwanted at Penrith because his attitude didn't reflect his pay packet.
Yet at this club formerly known as Sydney City Confidential, the flashy centre hasn’t stepped a foot out of place all season.
And then you get to this youngster of the Blues side, who everyone is already talking up as a future NSW captain.
Cordner only turned 21 last month but on Wednesday will make his debut in what is being billed as the most important Origin game in the history of NSW rugby league.
Is he up to it?
Fitzgibbon should know.
He was there the day Boyd arrived with his father Chris as a 15 year old.
From that first meeting, Fitzgibbon says, there was just something about the kid.
"I met him in the sheds before a game with his brother and his father," Fitzgibbon recalled.
"Even the way Boyd shook hands as a young fella, he just really impressed me.
"You know when you just meet someone and they make that impression on you?
"He had a nice firm handshake and he looked me in the eyes and we just had a real good conversation.
"All three of them were terrific people, really grounded.
"And even the first time he came out and trained with us he just took it to us. He was so composed for a kid and he just took everything in his stride. And he still is."
Laurie Daley privately says Cordner reminds him of a young Brad Clyde.
For anyone who knows the game of rugby league, that is about as big a compliment as you can give a young back-rower.
You weigh in the adversity and challenges he has overcome to get to this day. Cordner lost his mother as a little boy, and as a footballer has already fought back from a broken jaw and four serious knee operations.
Remember, he just turned 21.
Yet Fitzgibbon has no fears for him on Wednesday night.
He says it is almost like Boyd was born for this night.
"He captained the NSW under 20s team last year. He was in the Emerging Blues. He played for Country. You can't say this was always on the cards but he was earmarked for this at a young age and he hasn't let anyone down," Fitzgibbon added.
"It might have shocked everyone that it happened so quick but he is a special player."
Comment