'Tough' Shark almost in tears
Margie McDonald
June 27, 2006
CRONULLA lock Paul Gallen took the most important phone call of his career lying down.
"I was on the couch outside Stuie's (coach Stuart Raper) office waiting for our video session when I got the (Origin) call. I feel unreal," the 24-year-old said yesterday.
Despite making his representative debut for City Origin in May and hearing the praise Raper gave him for his recent form for the Sharks, Gallen still did not believe he could break into the NSW side given that the current three backrowers - Luke O'Donnell, Nathan Hindmarsh and Steve Simpson - make up Australia's backrow.
"I was always hoping I might make it but I didn't think I would because all the backrow forwards are such great players," Gallen said.
But Raper never had any doubts.
"I always thought he'd be a special player and it's probably been a semi-goal for me to hopefully help him get to rep footy.
"I'm really happy for him because he has worked so hard," Raper said.
"He was just about in tears when he found out. He was that stoked."
The Blues selectors would have been over the moon with Gallen's statistics from the last two games. Against Manly he made 26 runs for 238 metres, completed 29 tackles and five off-loads.
And against Newcastle on Saturday night he made 23 runs for 194 metres, made 21 tackles and two off-loads.
"I just think he's a tough, tough player and one that will relish the intensity of Origin footy," Raper said.
Gallen credits the form of the Sharks' pack, singling out Lance Thompson and Greg Bird in particular, as well as the leadership of club skipper Brett Kimmorley for helping him to wear the Blues jumper finally.
"They're part of the reason I'm here," Gallen said, adding that he felt for Kimmorley, who lost out to Penrith's Graig Gower for the halfback position.
"Brett's been playing so well since he came back from his injury," Gallen said.
"He's unlucky but I know he'll rise above it and still lead the Sharks so well."
His NSW captain, Danny Buderus, pinpointed the Sharks' purple patch, winning eight of their last nine games including a 26-16 win over his club side Newcastle, for helping Gallen to rise above the pack. He has replaced Andrew Ryan (Bulldogs) in the squad.
"The Sharks have snuck under the radar but not any more, and he's been part of that fantastic season for them," Buderus said.
Gallen said he had watched Origin football since he was a kid.
"I'd sprint home from footy training so I could watch it and now I'll be a part of it even though it'll be the toughest game I've had to play," Gallen said.
Gallen has been named on the interchange bench and does not know where he will play or how many minutes coach Graham Murray will give him.
Raper has used Gallen at centre and five-eighth when injuries have struck at Cronulla but rates him a tailor-made backrower because of his combined mobility and strength.
"I'll just do my best and I can't wait to get on," Gallen said.
But his first priority was securing tickets for his parents, brothers and sisters and "10 mates who want to come to Melbourne".
"I've heard it's sold out but I'll have to scrape some tickets together from somewhere."
Source:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19598316-2722,00.html
Congratulations to Gallen well deserved.
