Article on Aidan Guerra's debut from SMH

[Guest]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/l...0314-q66s.html

[TheLoneRooster]

For the lazy ...

Bargain-buy local upstages expensive English import in debut stakes
GLENN JACKSON
March 15, 2010

BEFORE round one, the only debutant anyone wanted to talk about was South Sydney's English import Sam Burgess. Enter Aidan Guerra.

You might have missed this one in the pre-game build-up, but Guerra was also making his first-grade debut, and while his journey to the beaches of Sydney didn't cover as many miles as Burgess's did, it was equally important.

Guerra was dumped by Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy last year after he signed for the Roosters, forcing the youngster to go on a three-month holiday to Brisbane.

He kept training while there, and yesterday the work paid off, with a crucial try against South Sydney, even if the pain of his axing has not yet been worth the trouble.

''I wouldn't say it was worth [what I went through],'' Guerra said.

''It was disappointing to end on those terms at a club that I'd been with, and that had done the right thing by me, but I'm happy to be here at a new club going in a new direction. It's finally paid off, and I'm really happy about it.''

After his dumping, which echoed Wayne Bennett's decision to drop Justin Hodges from the Broncos after he signed with another club, ironically the Roosters, in 2001, Bellamy said he did so because Guerra was not in line to play first grade, and he wanted to give his spot in the roster to a player that would be.

Guerra made it clear, although indirectly, his relationship with Bellamy became strained by the decision.

''I left on good terms with the boys,'' he said. ''A few of the boys stood by me, and they're still good friends of mine. With Craig, he made a business decision, as I did to come to the Roosters. I'll just leave it at that.''

He said he joined the Roosters for ''an opportunity at first grade''.

''It was a club that was rebuilding, and as a young second-rower I thought I could fit into an outfit like this,'' Guerra said. ''I had respect for Sika [Manu] and Hoffy [Ryan Hoffman] and I just couldn't see myself getting the jump in front of them.''

His 55th-minute try, following Anthony Minichiello's ball, effectively sealed the Roosters' win.

''I was blowing a bit there, and just thought I'd push up for the sake of it, and then I saw Mini coming across the field, saw the gap, and I just called for the ball,'' Guerra said. ''He was nice enough to pass it to me.''

In contrast, Burgess's first premiership hit-out in the NRL was disappointing and one of the few positives he could find afterwards was that the Rabbitohs had hit reality at the start of the season rather than later.

''Yeah, it is a bit of a reality check and I probably think it's the best time we could have got it as well, in round one,'' Burgess said.

''There's been a lot of talk and hype about us as a team and our forward pack and I'm not a big believer in what's been said. I've got faith in my team but I'd rather let our play dictate what's said in the paper.

''We've got a bit to work on and I'm confident we will get there but it's a bit of a reality check and I think we all know that.''

A disappointed Souths coach John Lang said Burgess and fellow new recruit Dave Taylor had mixed premiership debuts for the club.

''They both showed flashes of what they can do but they also both came up with some bad errors," Lang said. ''Dave came up with a poor pass there in the lead-up to a try, I think Sam lost definitely two and maybe three balls but again their efforts were probably symptomatic of the side. We probably showed a bit of potential but the reality is that we weren't anywhere near good enough.''

Asked about his own performance, Burgess said: ''It was all right, a few loose carries. We've got a lot to work on individually and as a team. There were glimpses of us doing good stuff but we've got a lot to work on.''

[melon....]

No-Name player with a huge Heart. Another bonetti in the making. i can see him doing a lot of the dirty but important work out there.

[TheLoneRooster]

I'm of the opinion that sooner rather than later we will all be singing Aidan's praises.

[Pass the Ball]

I really like the look of this guy.. Had heard good things but watching him yesterday impressed me..

Guera and the guy wearing number 15 for the Broncos were the stand-out debuts for me..

All players making their debuts for Easts from other clubs were fantastic..

Carney
Ryles
Conn
Graham

[TheLoneRooster]

That was Matt Gillett PTB. He played well and didn't look out of place at all.

[Guest]

Does anyone else read Burgess' comments in his dopey English accent? I can't help it!

[supermario]

aiden "Che" gurrera ( it's close enough) had a solid game, hopefully he is recognised with a start replacing symmonds.

[Guest]

aiden "Che" gurrera ( it's close enough) had a solid game, hopefully he is recognised with a start replacing symmonds.

You would assume so. With someone like BJ Leulia coming onto the bench...

[Guest]

Aidens mum and dad were sitting just over in the next bay.....

How high did his mum jump when he scored......was great to see....

And on a side note, Steven Noyce was sitting 2 rows in front of them.......

[Guest]

I think I said to myself "who the fark is..." and "geeze I like him..." within about 4 breaths. Is Che his official pen nickname?

I can see why Bellamy got the shits after he signed with us

Chook.

[Guest]

I think I said to myself "who the fark is..." and "geeze I like him..." within about 4 breaths. Is Che his official pen nickname?

I can see why Bellamy got the shits after he signed with us

Chook.

Bellamy didn't give him a run! Then cracked the shits when he signed with us, and refused to play him for the rest of the season

[Guest]

Guerra played well but I thought Conn also had a great game. A lot of people will be eating humble pie over his performance. I think Conn deserves the opportunity to start in place of Symonds.

[Billy Gunn]

Bellamy didn't give him a run! Then cracked the shits when he signed with us, and refused to play him for the rest of the season

He had plans for him but just not in 2009 and he obviously didn't tell him 2010 he would get a chance

He had a great debut and great to hear that his parents were there....

I like Brain's nicname for him - Eddie !

[Guest]

He had plans for him but just not in 2009 and he obviously didn't tell him 2010 he would get a chance

He had a great debut and great to hear that his parents were there....

I like Brain's nicname for him - Eddie !

My kids have been calling his Charvo since we signed him....which I prefer to Eddie, for obvious reasons.....