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Lockyer 'world's best' after Origin win
Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 11:47 PM
Exhausted Queensland hooker Cameron Smith hailed Darren Lockyer the world's best player in the jubilation of the State of Origin series victory.
While Lockyer, who appeared from the clouds to score the match-winning try late in the 16-14 decider, was lost for words, his teammates were singing his praises after one of his finest games.
"I just feel so glad for him (Lockyer) there's been so much pressure on him with people saying he's too old and he should be playing fullback," said Smith who described his 10th Origin as something "very special".
"Personally I think he's the best player in the world and to be able to play alongside him is a privilege.
"You could see it on his face and all the old blokes what it meant to them."
Prop Petero Civoniceva said NSW had deliberately targeted Lockyer in defence, trying to take the juice out of him.
"Being our captain and being the player that he is I know what a proud Queenslander he is," said Civoniceva.
"I know all the criticism that we copped in game one cut deep with him and not just the forward pack.
"He was there with us and I'm just so happy for him that we were able to get job done tonight.
"For him to score the way he did shows what a champion competitor he is.
"They targeted him all night, all the big forwards just kept coming at him.
"They didn't want to run through the middle of the ruck but they were happy to smash him.
"They were trying to chew his gas up so he wasn't as effective with the ball.
"It just goes to show what a great athlete he is and what a great footballer he is."
Like Smith, Civoniceva said the win was "something very special" he would never forget.
The man himself was humble.
"I'm a bit lost for words, it's still sinking in," said Lockyer, who was highly emotional when he thanked the crowd after the game and received his Wally Lewis medal as man of the series.
"It's not about me, it's about these blokes who put in so much and never gave up on each other.
Lockyer said Queensland put the pressure on NSW fullback Brett Hodgson that forced his pass to go astray in the 74th minute.
"I saw the guy who was going to catch it lean forward and the ball hit the ground and bounced up perfectly," said Lockyer
"I pushed a few players off and ran over the top of Luke Bailey," joked Lockyer after his clear run to the line.
"It's special because this group of guys did so much hard work to get the result," he said.
Queensland centre Brent Tate, who triggered the comeback with a great try in the 71st minute after a terrific bust by halfback Johnathan Thurston was nursing several bruises after the game but the Queenslanders were feeling no pain.
http://svc002.wic104cx.server-web.com/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/1966/Default.aspx
:LOL: He played well but please....
Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 11:47 PM
Exhausted Queensland hooker Cameron Smith hailed Darren Lockyer the world's best player in the jubilation of the State of Origin series victory.
While Lockyer, who appeared from the clouds to score the match-winning try late in the 16-14 decider, was lost for words, his teammates were singing his praises after one of his finest games.
"I just feel so glad for him (Lockyer) there's been so much pressure on him with people saying he's too old and he should be playing fullback," said Smith who described his 10th Origin as something "very special".
"Personally I think he's the best player in the world and to be able to play alongside him is a privilege.
"You could see it on his face and all the old blokes what it meant to them."
Prop Petero Civoniceva said NSW had deliberately targeted Lockyer in defence, trying to take the juice out of him.
"Being our captain and being the player that he is I know what a proud Queenslander he is," said Civoniceva.
"I know all the criticism that we copped in game one cut deep with him and not just the forward pack.
"He was there with us and I'm just so happy for him that we were able to get job done tonight.
"For him to score the way he did shows what a champion competitor he is.
"They targeted him all night, all the big forwards just kept coming at him.
"They didn't want to run through the middle of the ruck but they were happy to smash him.
"They were trying to chew his gas up so he wasn't as effective with the ball.
"It just goes to show what a great athlete he is and what a great footballer he is."
Like Smith, Civoniceva said the win was "something very special" he would never forget.
The man himself was humble.
"I'm a bit lost for words, it's still sinking in," said Lockyer, who was highly emotional when he thanked the crowd after the game and received his Wally Lewis medal as man of the series.
"It's not about me, it's about these blokes who put in so much and never gave up on each other.
Lockyer said Queensland put the pressure on NSW fullback Brett Hodgson that forced his pass to go astray in the 74th minute.
"I saw the guy who was going to catch it lean forward and the ball hit the ground and bounced up perfectly," said Lockyer
"I pushed a few players off and ran over the top of Luke Bailey," joked Lockyer after his clear run to the line.
"It's special because this group of guys did so much hard work to get the result," he said.
Queensland centre Brent Tate, who triggered the comeback with a great try in the 71st minute after a terrific bust by halfback Johnathan Thurston was nursing several bruises after the game but the Queenslanders were feeling no pain.
http://svc002.wic104cx.server-web.com/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/1966/Default.aspx
:LOL: He played well but please....
