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THE Sydney Roosters’ premiership-winning skipper Anthony Minichiello will enter his 14th and final season of rugby league as the NRL’s new face-of-the-game.
The 33-year-old club legend will step into the poster-boy role that has become the curse of the code in recent times, jinxing superstars Ben Barba, Brett Stewart and Benji Marshall who all became embroiled in serious off-field dramas.
This time the NRL has taken the safe option, choosing a loyal one-club servant and much admired role model to step onto the stage at the season launch on February 26, alongside recently appointed ambassador Jessica Mauboy and 600 club members who have been invited for the first time.
Unlike the game’s previous ill-fated ‘faces’, Minichiello is settled and married to the glamorous Terry Biviano, who recently gave birth their first child, a daughter.
“To have Mini step forward with a club member to launch the season on behalf of all players and fans is a deserved honour for a player who has given so much to our game,” said NRL chief executive Dave Smith.
“He’s a great bloke and has been a wonderful ambassador for rugby league over many years.
“He has represented his state and country, he is a two-time premiership-winner and a premiership-winning captain, he is the Women in League Favourite Son and he has the respect of players, members and fans across the game.”
The NRL’s selection was also applauded last night by his coach Trent Robinson, who goes all the way back to 1997 when he played alongside Minichiello in the club’s Under 20’s.
The 33-year-old club legend will step into the poster-boy role that has become the curse of the code in recent times, jinxing superstars Ben Barba, Brett Stewart and Benji Marshall who all became embroiled in serious off-field dramas.
This time the NRL has taken the safe option, choosing a loyal one-club servant and much admired role model to step onto the stage at the season launch on February 26, alongside recently appointed ambassador Jessica Mauboy and 600 club members who have been invited for the first time.
Unlike the game’s previous ill-fated ‘faces’, Minichiello is settled and married to the glamorous Terry Biviano, who recently gave birth their first child, a daughter.
“To have Mini step forward with a club member to launch the season on behalf of all players and fans is a deserved honour for a player who has given so much to our game,” said NRL chief executive Dave Smith.
“He’s a great bloke and has been a wonderful ambassador for rugby league over many years.
“He has represented his state and country, he is a two-time premiership-winner and a premiership-winning captain, he is the Women in League Favourite Son and he has the respect of players, members and fans across the game.”
The NRL’s selection was also applauded last night by his coach Trent Robinson, who goes all the way back to 1997 when he played alongside Minichiello in the club’s Under 20’s.
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