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Suitman said:
Tate back to his best
By Dean Ritchie
November 24, 2005
KANGAROOS winger Brent Tate has gone from the brink of retirement to the strike weapon of Australia's relentless Tri-Nations campaign.
Just months ago Tate sustained another serious neck injury and told his family he was going to quit rugby league, aged only 23.
But the Broncos winger has fought back, with the aid of a neck brace, and has scored two of the finest long-range tries of the tournament - both more than 70 metres, one in Sydney against New Zealand, the other in Hull against Great Britain last weekend.
Tate's troubles started in April when he badly damaged his neck playing against Cronulla.
"When I suffered the injury I made a decision that was it, I wouldn't be playing any more," Tate said.
"I thought I had actually snapped my nerve, which controls your arm.
"I was pretty frightened. It was looking pretty ugly.
"I was getting too many symptoms in my left arm and they were happening too many times.
"It was going dead all the time.
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"I spoke to my partner about it and said I wanted to be able to throw my kids around when I get a bit older.
"I'd been putting up with the smaller troubles previously but after Cronulla, I decided either that something had to be done or that was it."
Tate's doctor told him surgery would not mend the damage.
He thought his career was over.
"That was shattering," Tate said.
"I thought, 'What am I going to do?' You become naive and think it's never going to happen to you.
"The injury experience has changed the way I look at footy. I just love playing now.
"I have changed my whole outlook on the game and to training.
"Footy is my life at the moment.
"I was thinking there for a while that I'd have to go and get a job.
"There are bills to pay. It was a bit of a shock."
Then came Tate's saviour - a plastic neck brace he wears in every match for neck support, invented by Broncos physio Robbie Godbolt.
It may look unwieldy but the brace has not only enabled Tate to get back on to the field, he will be on the wing for Australia in the Tri-Nations finals against New Zealand on Sunday morning (AEDT) at Leeds' Elland Road Stadium.
"It has saved my career," Tate said. "I have no doubt that if it wasn't for Robbie Goldbolt, I seriously wouldn't be playing. I owe him heaps."
Tate has repaid those who kept faith with him during his injury period. He has been in superb form throughout the Tri-Nations tournament and been rewarded with his two scintillating solo tries. "It's a privilege to be in this side," Tate said. "Last year I came away but didn't play. This time it's been great. With the tries, you get lucky sometimes. It's been my turn this time."
The Daily Telegraph
