CHRIS SANDOW
Juniors
- Messages
- 235
From Cliff via The Warren
I was fortunate enough to have a lunch with JT earlier this week. He was quite open about all things Souths and RL in general. He is a great guy with a great view of the game and is very definite in his opinions. I couldn't help but feel great after leaving - I wish the 09 season would hurry up!
I'll share some things from JT with you:
Roy
Is back at training and is on track for our trial games. JT says that he is turning into a great leader and is a great example of a guy who leads by example.
Kane
Doesn't see him as a direct replacement for Nelson as has been intimated on here and says that they have definitely taken a risk with his signing given his recent run of injuries. He loves his agression which is ultimately the reason for signing him.
Nelson
He wished Nelson had the agression that Kane has. I think we all agree with that summation!
Sandow
Thinks this kid will only get better. He is likely to share the goal kicking duties with Issaxe although JT thought that Issaxe is better from out wide (than he is from in close was also mentioned) so maybe Issaxe will take the sideline attempts and Chris the easier ones. JT is the kicking coach which adds about 30-60 mins to every training session for the goal kickers.
Reecey
JT is excited about having Reece in the team. He will play fullback.
Merritt
Thought he improved significantly last year at FB but thinks he will be even better back at wing in 09 especially with Reece at FB. Thinks Nathan can represent his year.
Capewell
JT loves this bloke. He said that if all players played with the same guts and courage that Luke did in '08 we'd have gotten a lot closer to the semis than we did. He persisted with Capewell last year because the season was gone. He said that if we were in the mix for the 8 he may have played more experienced guys. The games that Luke played in 08 were great for his experience and should help him in 09. Sees him as a future star most likely at 5/8.
Fa'alogo
Was adament that Anasta choked him last year which caused him to react with that infamous punch. He truly believed that frog was choked to point of losing mental direction. He was livid that the NZ tour games didn't count in his 7 games suspension. They wouldn't have appealed had they known that. He couldn't believe the ruling.
Champs
Is going along great. Says that the Jacksonville game sorted Champs out and made him settle at aiming to be a starting centre. Will be one of our starting centres in 09.
Best
Will be our other starting centre. Is very happy with the signing.
Hegs
OK....he is well aware of the fans opinion on Hegs. He said that if he had played Capewell at prop last year he wouldn't have copped as much flack as he would have by playing Hegs in the team - anywhere! Says that Hegs has had a very tough time off the field which has obviously upset his game. I think he said that he has gone through a divorce but I'm not sure?? It puts a few things into perspective.
Buddy Gordon
Was a tough decision to let him go but that it might be the motivator that he needs to make something of his game. Agrees that he is an awesome talent but felt he was just too comfortable and needed a change so they let him go.
Hopes he goes well and even says that it may prove a regretful decision. he kind of predicted that he could end up at the Bulldogs in a way that Sandow did for us - i.e. a nothing at the Titans but a star with us. Time will tell.
Crossman
Asked if he would be Roy's partner up front. JT kind of dodged the question so I think that the other prop position is really still up for grabs.
Eddie Paea
Could match some of the offers from rivals so they let him go. Could say where he went, nor can I but he has been released.
Issaxe
OK so I know you have all been wanting to read this one so here goes. Firstly sit down. Asked if Issaxe will play 80mins this year JT simple said no. He is just not ready for it. He said he thinks that he is devestating off the bench - a reply came "well who will start at hooker then". JT said there's a guy who is a better hooker than Issaxe in the team. Obviously eluding to starting Wing at hooker. When asked who would play 5/8 he didn't provide an answer. He had said earlier that Capewell was not up to playing 5/8 yet. He was pretty fixed in his opinion that Issaxe will better off not strating.
As for the reports of Issaxe leaving if his contract wasn't upgraded, he said that it is just Gavin Orr stiring the pot for his client. Issaxe came to Souths on nothing and has had 2 (maybe 3 I can't quite remember) upgrades of his current contract since joining us. He won't be going anywhere according to JT.
Redfern Oval
Sensational! They start training there in January. The grass is settling right now. There are not really function facilities at the new development so the after match function for the RTR09 is undecided. (I'll be at the Grosvenor for anyone that cares). The gym at Redfern is supposedly amazing too.
Training
The boys have been back for a few weeks. The World Cup reps must have 6 weeks off - as per RLPA agreement (I think he said that it was 6 weeks). Wing was training with the WC squad until before the semis but has since been released so he will be back in a week or 2.
They train mornings and arvos for 2-3 hours at a time with Wednesday (I think) and Sunday the only rest days.
Jacksonville
It just upset their pre-season preps too much and says that such an event won't happen again. He said that he has never seen soooooooo many girls simply throwing themselves at the players. Tough to concentrate hey!
PHaC
Is still quite involved but didn't offer much more.
Richo
Didn't say much about Richo but did infer that he talks to him more than most and makes decisions with him. Seemed to really like the guy.
Hughes
Thinks he has a real knack for spotting talent. Respects.
Rusty
And finally..... the big one. There's a lot to say here but I must keep it short. He loves his passion. Rusty is here for the long haul. Rusty wanted to make Souths a family club like the Bulldogs by keeping/signing the Walkers McDougalls etc. Taylor says he stepped in and knocked that idea on the head quick smart (thank god).
Rusty was probably the reason why we were down 22-0 at HT against the rooters in the last round - he brought Pamela Anderson to the pre-game warm up and the guys were seriously distracted!! Makes sense hey!
He is in for the long haul - I must reiterate this point!!
That's about all guys. JT has 2 more years with us and I personally would love to see him here in ten more years. If he is we will be contending for 21 (or maybe more) and we may well have the next Wayne Bennett. One can only hope.
From Cliff
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