Interchange shame for Blues prop
June 18, 2004
NSW prop Jason Stevens admitted last night he felt "embarrassed and disappointed" at playing just 19 minutes in the Blues loss to Queensland in Origin II.
After being brought back into the starting side after a three-year representative absence, the Sharks veteran played only a bit part in the game prompting speculation he will struggle to hold on to his spot for the Sydney decider.
Stevens was at a loss to explain why he had such limited game time but will seek out Blues coach Phil Gould over the next few days to find out why.
"I'm obviously disappointed and embarrassed," he said.
"I wanted to play more and felt I had a lot more to contribute but that's the way it goes.
"I haven't had a chance to speak to Gus [Gould] and there is no point blowing up about it.
"I just want to get some feedback from him."
Stevens said he was under the impression going into the game he would be on the field for as long as the Maroons prop Shane Webcke was out there.
"I was under the assumption that was how it was going to work, but it didn't pan out that way," he said.
"I think I only got around five minutes in the second half, so I was a bit surprised when I was called back off.
"But in saying that, I'm just part of the team and I was more disappointed for the fact that we lost the game."
Asked about his prospects of playing in the series decider, Stevens said: "I'm not going to worry about that now. I'd love to play but I am not a little kid any more and it [missing out] is not going to ruin my life."
Sharks coach Stuart Raper said he found it hard to understand the reasoning for the Blues' treatment of Stevens.
"I'm disappointed for Jason and the fact that we didn't have him last weekend and they only played him for 19 minutes when he is a starting prop," Raper said.
"I don't know what the thinking is. Maybe they should just have a three prop rotation, but you are asking the wrong bloke about that.
"The upshot I guess for us is that he will be as fresh as a daisy on Sunday and I can assure you he will be playing a lot more than 19 minutes."
June 18, 2004
NSW prop Jason Stevens admitted last night he felt "embarrassed and disappointed" at playing just 19 minutes in the Blues loss to Queensland in Origin II.
After being brought back into the starting side after a three-year representative absence, the Sharks veteran played only a bit part in the game prompting speculation he will struggle to hold on to his spot for the Sydney decider.
Stevens was at a loss to explain why he had such limited game time but will seek out Blues coach Phil Gould over the next few days to find out why.
"I'm obviously disappointed and embarrassed," he said.
"I wanted to play more and felt I had a lot more to contribute but that's the way it goes.
"I haven't had a chance to speak to Gus [Gould] and there is no point blowing up about it.
"I just want to get some feedback from him."
Stevens said he was under the impression going into the game he would be on the field for as long as the Maroons prop Shane Webcke was out there.
"I was under the assumption that was how it was going to work, but it didn't pan out that way," he said.
"I think I only got around five minutes in the second half, so I was a bit surprised when I was called back off.
"But in saying that, I'm just part of the team and I was more disappointed for the fact that we lost the game."
Asked about his prospects of playing in the series decider, Stevens said: "I'm not going to worry about that now. I'd love to play but I am not a little kid any more and it [missing out] is not going to ruin my life."
Sharks coach Stuart Raper said he found it hard to understand the reasoning for the Blues' treatment of Stevens.
"I'm disappointed for Jason and the fact that we didn't have him last weekend and they only played him for 19 minutes when he is a starting prop," Raper said.
"I don't know what the thinking is. Maybe they should just have a three prop rotation, but you are asking the wrong bloke about that.
"The upshot I guess for us is that he will be as fresh as a daisy on Sunday and I can assure you he will be playing a lot more than 19 minutes."
