DC_fan
Coach
- Messages
- 11,980
Arthur Beetson tipping Greg Inglis will end up playing in the forwards
Pack to the future ... Arthur Beetson is tipping a ballooning Greg Inglis will end up in the forwards. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph
Source: The Courier-Mail
LEGENDARY rugby league prop Arthur Beetson has backed Test centre Greg Inglis to make the switch to the forwards if his weight continues to balloon.
Beetson, who started his career as a centre, said Inglis could have little choice but to switch to the pack if he gets any bigger, with the former Melbourne Storm star reporting for training with Souths at 120kg.
Inglis, who has signed a three-year deal with the Rabbitohs, had an injury-disrupted 2010, culminating in shoulder and hip surgery.
"It's taking him six to eight weeks to get into condition, and that's what used to happen in the old days with front-rowers," Beetson said.
"He's a big unit and he's probably tough enough for the forwards.
"He's got a bit more pace than I had and I can't see the switch happening for a while. But it's not out of the question."
Beetson said forward battles were not as fiery as in his day and the transition from the backs was not as difficult.
"The other codes used to look at league players as the elite of the gladiators, but I think we have lost some of that aura," he said.
When Beetson moved from Roma to play under Test forward Henry Holloway at Redcliffe in 1964, he was a bustling centre.
But the next year Holloway switched Beetson to the pack and he won the club's best player award, and on top of that a contract with Balmain.
Queensland and Australian selector Des Morris said he did not envisage Inglis, 23, making a switch to the forwards any time soon. "He's a big man, there's no denying that," Morris said. "But he's not the same sort of build as Artie.
"He could play in the forwards, but I don't think it will be necessary because he is one of those freaks of nature who is able to run fast, despite being so big."
Souths have no intention of playing Inglis in the forwards - at least this season.
The Rabbitohs are already top-heavy in the forwards and went after Inglis because he is the No. 1 centre in the game.
Even though they have been forced to shed Beau Champion to make way for Inglis, Souths expect their new buy to form a dynamic centre pairing with one of the club's emerging backline stars, headed by Junior Vaivai and Dylan Farrell.
Souths coach John Lang said prior to Christmas that Inglis had indicated he was happy to also play five-eighth if required.
Inglis has been ruled out of the Indigenous All Stars side to play the NRL All Stars at Skilled Park on February 12 as he recovers from shoulder surgery.
Souths' other new recruit, George Burgess, 18, will arrive in Sydney tomorrow before starting training on January 4.
The Rabbitohs hope to develop young Burgess into an NRL front-rower but he will join the NYC squad this season.
At 194cm and 120kg, George is even bigger than older brother Sam.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-in-the-forwards/story-e6frexnr-1225978109861
- Steve Ricketts and Tyson Otto
Pack to the future ... Arthur Beetson is tipping a ballooning Greg Inglis will end up in the forwards. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph
Source: The Courier-Mail
LEGENDARY rugby league prop Arthur Beetson has backed Test centre Greg Inglis to make the switch to the forwards if his weight continues to balloon.
Beetson, who started his career as a centre, said Inglis could have little choice but to switch to the pack if he gets any bigger, with the former Melbourne Storm star reporting for training with Souths at 120kg.
Inglis, who has signed a three-year deal with the Rabbitohs, had an injury-disrupted 2010, culminating in shoulder and hip surgery.
"It's taking him six to eight weeks to get into condition, and that's what used to happen in the old days with front-rowers," Beetson said.
"He's a big unit and he's probably tough enough for the forwards.
"He's got a bit more pace than I had and I can't see the switch happening for a while. But it's not out of the question."
Beetson said forward battles were not as fiery as in his day and the transition from the backs was not as difficult.
"The other codes used to look at league players as the elite of the gladiators, but I think we have lost some of that aura," he said.
When Beetson moved from Roma to play under Test forward Henry Holloway at Redcliffe in 1964, he was a bustling centre.
But the next year Holloway switched Beetson to the pack and he won the club's best player award, and on top of that a contract with Balmain.
Queensland and Australian selector Des Morris said he did not envisage Inglis, 23, making a switch to the forwards any time soon. "He's a big man, there's no denying that," Morris said. "But he's not the same sort of build as Artie.
"He could play in the forwards, but I don't think it will be necessary because he is one of those freaks of nature who is able to run fast, despite being so big."
Souths have no intention of playing Inglis in the forwards - at least this season.
The Rabbitohs are already top-heavy in the forwards and went after Inglis because he is the No. 1 centre in the game.
Even though they have been forced to shed Beau Champion to make way for Inglis, Souths expect their new buy to form a dynamic centre pairing with one of the club's emerging backline stars, headed by Junior Vaivai and Dylan Farrell.
Souths coach John Lang said prior to Christmas that Inglis had indicated he was happy to also play five-eighth if required.
Inglis has been ruled out of the Indigenous All Stars side to play the NRL All Stars at Skilled Park on February 12 as he recovers from shoulder surgery.
Souths' other new recruit, George Burgess, 18, will arrive in Sydney tomorrow before starting training on January 4.
The Rabbitohs hope to develop young Burgess into an NRL front-rower but he will join the NYC squad this season.
At 194cm and 120kg, George is even bigger than older brother Sam.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-in-the-forwards/story-e6frexnr-1225978109861
