Knights star told to shape up
AARON LAWTON - Sunday News | Sunday, 10 August 2008
TUBBY winger Cooper Vuna says he's been told to shed some kilos and buck up his ideas by Newcastle coach Brian Smith.
The former Warrior, who left the club for the Knights halfway through last season, started the year as Smith's first-choice wing.
However, in the past four weeks Vuna has only played one full game and last night he revealed to Sunday News he has been having problems off the field.
"He (Smith) hasn't really said too much about why I'm not in the starting side right now but I've taken it as a sign about my professionalism," Vuna said.
"I've missed a lot of appointments and stuff like that lately and I also think I need to drop some weight.
"It's not just Brian who has said a bit about my weight.
"All the boys have been saying it too."
While his NRL profile says he weighs in at 97kg, Vuna says his real weight would be higher than that.
He also admits his fluctuating size has a lot to do with attitude.
"I'm carrying too much weight because I've been treating myself too much during the season," said Vuna.
"I guess I got too comfortable with my place in the first-grade side and I think I got carried away with the glory and that sort of thing."
"He (Smith) gave me a couple of weeks off and told me to get myself sorted."
Vuna says he fell out of favour with Smith after missing several team video sessions.
"I missed some video appointments," he said.
"Brian has texted me heaps of times and I haven't had credit on my phone to text him back.
"Sometimes I forget about it.
"I have to get back into Brian's good books and that's certainly one of my goals."
Vuna has been named on an extended Knights bench ahead of tomorrow night's clash with the Titans and he says he hopes to win his coach's favour back.
"The weight is also a personal thing I'm trying to sort out," he said.
"Hopefully I get my jersey back this week.
"I guess you could say I've been taking a little bit of a break.
"I'm trying to get myself back to form and Brian has included me in the squad for Monday's match against the Titans."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sundaynews/4650050a15599.html
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sundaynews/4650050a15599.html
AARON LAWTON - Sunday News | Sunday, 10 August 2008
TUBBY winger Cooper Vuna says he's been told to shed some kilos and buck up his ideas by Newcastle coach Brian Smith.
The former Warrior, who left the club for the Knights halfway through last season, started the year as Smith's first-choice wing.
However, in the past four weeks Vuna has only played one full game and last night he revealed to Sunday News he has been having problems off the field.
"He (Smith) hasn't really said too much about why I'm not in the starting side right now but I've taken it as a sign about my professionalism," Vuna said.
"I've missed a lot of appointments and stuff like that lately and I also think I need to drop some weight.
"It's not just Brian who has said a bit about my weight.
"All the boys have been saying it too."
While his NRL profile says he weighs in at 97kg, Vuna says his real weight would be higher than that.
He also admits his fluctuating size has a lot to do with attitude.
"I'm carrying too much weight because I've been treating myself too much during the season," said Vuna.
"I guess I got too comfortable with my place in the first-grade side and I think I got carried away with the glory and that sort of thing."
"He (Smith) gave me a couple of weeks off and told me to get myself sorted."
Vuna says he fell out of favour with Smith after missing several team video sessions.
"I missed some video appointments," he said.
"Brian has texted me heaps of times and I haven't had credit on my phone to text him back.
"Sometimes I forget about it.
"I have to get back into Brian's good books and that's certainly one of my goals."
Vuna has been named on an extended Knights bench ahead of tomorrow night's clash with the Titans and he says he hopes to win his coach's favour back.
"The weight is also a personal thing I'm trying to sort out," he said.
"Hopefully I get my jersey back this week.
"I guess you could say I've been taking a little bit of a break.
"I'm trying to get myself back to form and Brian has included me in the squad for Monday's match against the Titans."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sundaynews/4650050a15599.html
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sundaynews/4650050a15599.html
