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Lyon has the hunger back
January 22, 2005
Source: www.smh.com.au
Kangaroo Test centre Jamie Lyon, who turned his back on his Australian rugby league club Parramatta and went walkabout in the bush, insists he has got the hunger back.
And St Helens' big close-season signing, who got his first taste of action in the club's 22-16 victory at Widnes, says he wants his Test jumper back, insisting question-marks over his "attitude" are wide of the mark.
"That's all nonsense," said Lyon, who was unveiled at St Helens' media day.
"I don't know where that came from, about my attitude. I think they got the perception from my leaving Parramatta but it wasn't like I went to another club.
"I was there for six years and I was just a bit stale. I wanted a bit of a break and, after I had my time off, I always wanted to get back into it.
"I'm over here for a fresh start and I'm raring to go. Everyone has been really great. I can't wait."
Saints coach Ian Millward turned his attention to Lyon after the summer transfer of Great Britain centre Martin Gleeson to Warrington but his target proved elusive at first.
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AdvertisementMillward eventually tracked down his man deep in the New South Wales bush, a seven-hour drive from Sydney, where Lyon was carrying out his hobby of pig-hunting with his mates.
"I was just out with my mates, chasing a few pigs," explained Lyon, who celebrates his 23rd birthday on Monday. "That's just the normal lifestyle out there.
"Ian came across really well. I found it comfortable talking to him and the next thing I knew I was over here.
"Ever since I was 15 or 16 I always wanted to come over to England to play. Most Aussies want to try a different environment, get out of Australia for a while and see a bit of the world.
"A lot of players come over towards the end of their careers but I think it's a good opportunity for me."
Parramatta agreed to release Lyon from his contract to enable him to sign a two-year deal with Saints and follow in the footsteps of another Australian Test centre, Mal Meninga.
Millward claims the capture is the club's biggest signing since that of the legendary Meninga, who made a big impression in his one-off season at Knowsley Road in 1985-86.
Lyon, a product of the famous Australian Schoolboys team, threatened to emulate the Canberra points machine when he burst onto the scene in spectacular fashion in 2001.
The powerful centre made his Test debut against Papua New Guinea at the age of 19 and went on to play in all three matches of the Ashes Series against Great Britain and he has not given up hope of reclaiming his Test jumper.
"I'd love to play for New South Wales and Australia again," he said. "That was my first aim when I was a little kid. I've done that and I'd like to hopefully do it again.
"My rep career is probably on ice for two years but hopefully down the track I might be able to get there again."
Lyon, who experienced a temperature drop of around 30 degrees Celsius when he landed in England on New Year's Eve, managed to do his homework on his new club thanks to the videos supplied by Millward.
And Saints' memorable Challenge Cup triumph especially whetted the appetite of the strong-running centre, who is relishing the opportunity to play alongside Great Britain internationals Paul Sculthorpe and Sean Long.
"Ian flew a couple of videos over to me and I really enjoyed them," he said. "One of the main reasons I signed was that Scully and Longy like throwing the ball around and that suits my style down to the ground.
"I got hairs on the back of my neck watching the Challenge Cup final on tape. It was an awesome day, with a massive crowd and the boys played really well. It would be great to be part of that."
Meanwhile, Lyon is settling into a rural part of west Lancashire and is confident of avoiding a culture shock, even if the absence of wild pigs has forced him to seek a new pastime.
"I think I'll just get stuck into the golf again," he said. "A few of the boys love golf and I'm the same.
"I'm a country boy, living out the bush all my life. But this is not a real big city and there is a lot of green countryside. It's a good little spot."
January 22, 2005
Source: www.smh.com.au
Kangaroo Test centre Jamie Lyon, who turned his back on his Australian rugby league club Parramatta and went walkabout in the bush, insists he has got the hunger back.
And St Helens' big close-season signing, who got his first taste of action in the club's 22-16 victory at Widnes, says he wants his Test jumper back, insisting question-marks over his "attitude" are wide of the mark.
"That's all nonsense," said Lyon, who was unveiled at St Helens' media day.
"I don't know where that came from, about my attitude. I think they got the perception from my leaving Parramatta but it wasn't like I went to another club.
"I was there for six years and I was just a bit stale. I wanted a bit of a break and, after I had my time off, I always wanted to get back into it.
"I'm over here for a fresh start and I'm raring to go. Everyone has been really great. I can't wait."
Saints coach Ian Millward turned his attention to Lyon after the summer transfer of Great Britain centre Martin Gleeson to Warrington but his target proved elusive at first.
Advertisement
AdvertisementMillward eventually tracked down his man deep in the New South Wales bush, a seven-hour drive from Sydney, where Lyon was carrying out his hobby of pig-hunting with his mates.
"I was just out with my mates, chasing a few pigs," explained Lyon, who celebrates his 23rd birthday on Monday. "That's just the normal lifestyle out there.
"Ian came across really well. I found it comfortable talking to him and the next thing I knew I was over here.
"Ever since I was 15 or 16 I always wanted to come over to England to play. Most Aussies want to try a different environment, get out of Australia for a while and see a bit of the world.
"A lot of players come over towards the end of their careers but I think it's a good opportunity for me."
Parramatta agreed to release Lyon from his contract to enable him to sign a two-year deal with Saints and follow in the footsteps of another Australian Test centre, Mal Meninga.
Millward claims the capture is the club's biggest signing since that of the legendary Meninga, who made a big impression in his one-off season at Knowsley Road in 1985-86.
Lyon, a product of the famous Australian Schoolboys team, threatened to emulate the Canberra points machine when he burst onto the scene in spectacular fashion in 2001.
The powerful centre made his Test debut against Papua New Guinea at the age of 19 and went on to play in all three matches of the Ashes Series against Great Britain and he has not given up hope of reclaiming his Test jumper.
"I'd love to play for New South Wales and Australia again," he said. "That was my first aim when I was a little kid. I've done that and I'd like to hopefully do it again.
"My rep career is probably on ice for two years but hopefully down the track I might be able to get there again."
Lyon, who experienced a temperature drop of around 30 degrees Celsius when he landed in England on New Year's Eve, managed to do his homework on his new club thanks to the videos supplied by Millward.
And Saints' memorable Challenge Cup triumph especially whetted the appetite of the strong-running centre, who is relishing the opportunity to play alongside Great Britain internationals Paul Sculthorpe and Sean Long.
"Ian flew a couple of videos over to me and I really enjoyed them," he said. "One of the main reasons I signed was that Scully and Longy like throwing the ball around and that suits my style down to the ground.
"I got hairs on the back of my neck watching the Challenge Cup final on tape. It was an awesome day, with a massive crowd and the boys played really well. It would be great to be part of that."
Meanwhile, Lyon is settling into a rural part of west Lancashire and is confident of avoiding a culture shock, even if the absence of wild pigs has forced him to seek a new pastime.
"I think I'll just get stuck into the golf again," he said. "A few of the boys love golf and I'm the same.
"I'm a country boy, living out the bush all my life. But this is not a real big city and there is a lot of green countryside. It's a good little spot."
