thuganomics
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Newcastle halfback Andrew Johns has tipped his understudy Kurt Gidley to crack the representative scene this year.
Gidley will hand over the No.7 jersey to Johns on February 26 when the Knights play a trial game against Cronulla in Gosford.
It will be Johns' first rugby league match since he suffered a major knee injury in a round three NRL match against Parramatta last year.
Gidley was forced into the playmaker's role for the rest of that season and, although the Knights failed to make the finals for the first time since 1996, the 22-year-old was a shining light.
"I think he can go to the next level and maybe play some rep footy," said former NSW and Australian skipper Johns.
"He's maturing all the time as a player and in the off-season he's been leading everything. His fitness is phenomenal.
"He probably just needs to get a few errors out of his game.
"He tends to do a lot of things at a thousand miles an hour but I'm looking forward to striking up a combination with him again this year."
The Knights had a horrific injury toll in 2004 when internationals Johns (3), Steve Simpson (4), and Timana Tahu (8) could only manage a combined 15 appearances for their club.
A positive note was it forced players like Gidley and prop Adam Woolnough to take on more responsibility and leadership in an inexperienced outfit.
Johns said he anticipated a big year from the scheming Gidley, who will play five-eighth in 2005.
"He's overcalling me at training and taking the ball his way, which is really pleasing to see," added the 30-year-old Johns.
"He's dominant in his calls when we're talking on the field.
"I get on great with him off the field too. He's real level-headed and I've never seen anyone work so hard on his fitness and training.
"He deserves all the success he gets."
From nrl.com
Rep honours this year for NSW is a possibility. If Wing finds himself injured I wouldn't be surprised if Kidley makes the bench.
Gidley will hand over the No.7 jersey to Johns on February 26 when the Knights play a trial game against Cronulla in Gosford.
It will be Johns' first rugby league match since he suffered a major knee injury in a round three NRL match against Parramatta last year.
Gidley was forced into the playmaker's role for the rest of that season and, although the Knights failed to make the finals for the first time since 1996, the 22-year-old was a shining light.
"I think he can go to the next level and maybe play some rep footy," said former NSW and Australian skipper Johns.
"He's maturing all the time as a player and in the off-season he's been leading everything. His fitness is phenomenal.
"He probably just needs to get a few errors out of his game.
"He tends to do a lot of things at a thousand miles an hour but I'm looking forward to striking up a combination with him again this year."
The Knights had a horrific injury toll in 2004 when internationals Johns (3), Steve Simpson (4), and Timana Tahu (8) could only manage a combined 15 appearances for their club.
A positive note was it forced players like Gidley and prop Adam Woolnough to take on more responsibility and leadership in an inexperienced outfit.
Johns said he anticipated a big year from the scheming Gidley, who will play five-eighth in 2005.
"He's overcalling me at training and taking the ball his way, which is really pleasing to see," added the 30-year-old Johns.
"He's dominant in his calls when we're talking on the field.
"I get on great with him off the field too. He's real level-headed and I've never seen anyone work so hard on his fitness and training.
"He deserves all the success he gets."
From nrl.com
Rep honours this year for NSW is a possibility. If Wing finds himself injured I wouldn't be surprised if Kidley makes the bench.
:lol:
