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No hangover for booze-free Roberts
Published: 4:00PM Thursday July 09, 2009
Source: NZPA
Ben Roberts proudly declares he hasn't touched a drop of alcohol since New Year's Eve.
Just as well, because the Bulldogs five-eighth and five-Test Kiwi knows he was a few bottles away from having his contract torn up late last year.
Now, a new two-year deal and a career-best performance against the Broncos under his belt, life's good for the 24-year-old as he chases a National Rugby League (NRL) premiership.
So good that he's taken troubled compatriot Arana Taumata under his wing, mentoring the youngster sacked by four NRL clubs as he battles the booze and tries to resurrect his career.
Roberts' name was regularly in the headlines, but not for reasons he'd like, since his NRL and Kiwis Test debut in 2006.
Try this list: disqualified from driving for three months after failing a breath alcohol test (a conviction was later quashed); charged with assaulting police after a Wollongong street brawl; fined $A5000 ($NZ6301) by the Bulldogs after a fight in Cronulla; reportedly trying to punch Tigers hooker Robbie Farah in a Kings Cross nightclub. It was a train smash waiting to happen.
"I was very close to losing my contract and that was the wakeup call I needed," he said on Thursday as the Bulldogs prepare to face the Warriors in Auckland on Sunday.
"I had a talk with Kevvie (coach Kevin Moore) last year and during pre-season and thankfully he gave me another shot. I felt like it was my last shot. I'm here making the most of it now."
Stage one was kicking the booze, the root of all his off-field problems. His family and friends were telling him he was a different, ugly person when he drank.
So, after the heart-to-heart with Moore, he made a resolution.
"It was New Year's Eve, my last drink. I'm pretty happy with myself and I feel great. I don't miss it (alcohol) at all. It was something that I took seriously.
"I can see results as well so it's made it easy to stay off it for now. I'm enjoying myself anyway and I don't really need it."
The best illustration of the new, improved Roberts was on June 13, a memorable night at Suncorp Stadium when he set up four tries and tore around Broncos legend Darren Lockyer for a try of his own.
A 44-22 win, the Bulldogs were flying high and Roberts' new contract was being inked.
Amid his personal triumphs, he spared a thought for gifted footballer Taumata, his Bulldogs teammate last year who was also shown the door from the Storm, Broncos and Roosters for alcohol-related incidents.
The Wellington-born 20-year-old is reportedly being courted by the Tigers and Roberts was happy to show him onto the wagon.
"I've had a few words with him here and there, just told him how I went about it and it looks as though he's taken that on board and done it himself. Good on him, I'm happy for him.
"I'm just happy to be able to help, not only a mate, but another dude that plays football as well. He's only just started and he's got a big career ahead of him."
The Bulldogs' upswing in fortunes from 2008 wooden spooners has coincided with Roberts'.
Bolstered by new recruits Brett Kimmorley, Michael Ennis, Ben Hannant and Josh Morris, they've stormed to third on the NRL ladder and stamped their title credentials.
Moore and chief executive Todd Greenberg worked hard to make it a family club rather than last year's culture of "party hard, train hard, play hard". Now they believe they can win the grand final on October 4.
"I'm confident and I think the whole team's confident. It's a lot easier to play well when you've got a good bunch of blokes around you and you're really enjoying your footy."
Roberts hopes that will translate into a Kiwis recall for the Four Nations tournament in October. Last year his form was so poor that Kiwis coach Steve Kearney told him he wasn't in his World Cup plans, and advised him to chase a spot in the Samoan team.
"That opportunity had a bit to do with me settling down and concentrating on football.
"I was rooming with Nigel Vagana and he was good guidance for me, just the way he carried himself off the field inspired me to clean my act up."
And the chance to link up with captain Benji Marshall in the halves again is a big lure. Players were given a clean slate after the World Cup, meaning Roberts can switch allegiance back to New Zealand if picked.
"It'd be awesome, man. We've only had one time playing together, in my first Anzac test in 2007.
"I thought we did really well considering we only had a week to prepare. I think we'd only get better over the amount of time we have in the Four Nations."
But first, Roberts is tasked with inspiring an under-strength Bulldogs to victory against a desperate Warriors.
With Kimmorley, Ennis and Morris out on State of Origin duty, Hannant injured, and Kiwi Greg Eastwood and Bryson Goodwin suspended, Roberts is their go-to man. He's relishing the chance to lead the way.
"Unlike last year we've got a lot of depth and we've got a lot of guys who are enthusiastic about this weekend.
"It's a good chance to test myself too. I've been keeping a close eye on Noddy (Kimmorley) all year so I'm looking forward to getting out there and seeing what I've learned from him."
http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-league-news/no-hangover-booze-free-roberts-2836597
Published: 4:00PM Thursday July 09, 2009
Source: NZPA
Ben Roberts proudly declares he hasn't touched a drop of alcohol since New Year's Eve.
Just as well, because the Bulldogs five-eighth and five-Test Kiwi knows he was a few bottles away from having his contract torn up late last year.
Now, a new two-year deal and a career-best performance against the Broncos under his belt, life's good for the 24-year-old as he chases a National Rugby League (NRL) premiership.
So good that he's taken troubled compatriot Arana Taumata under his wing, mentoring the youngster sacked by four NRL clubs as he battles the booze and tries to resurrect his career.
Roberts' name was regularly in the headlines, but not for reasons he'd like, since his NRL and Kiwis Test debut in 2006.
Try this list: disqualified from driving for three months after failing a breath alcohol test (a conviction was later quashed); charged with assaulting police after a Wollongong street brawl; fined $A5000 ($NZ6301) by the Bulldogs after a fight in Cronulla; reportedly trying to punch Tigers hooker Robbie Farah in a Kings Cross nightclub. It was a train smash waiting to happen.
"I was very close to losing my contract and that was the wakeup call I needed," he said on Thursday as the Bulldogs prepare to face the Warriors in Auckland on Sunday.
"I had a talk with Kevvie (coach Kevin Moore) last year and during pre-season and thankfully he gave me another shot. I felt like it was my last shot. I'm here making the most of it now."
Stage one was kicking the booze, the root of all his off-field problems. His family and friends were telling him he was a different, ugly person when he drank.
So, after the heart-to-heart with Moore, he made a resolution.
"It was New Year's Eve, my last drink. I'm pretty happy with myself and I feel great. I don't miss it (alcohol) at all. It was something that I took seriously.
"I can see results as well so it's made it easy to stay off it for now. I'm enjoying myself anyway and I don't really need it."
The best illustration of the new, improved Roberts was on June 13, a memorable night at Suncorp Stadium when he set up four tries and tore around Broncos legend Darren Lockyer for a try of his own.
A 44-22 win, the Bulldogs were flying high and Roberts' new contract was being inked.
Amid his personal triumphs, he spared a thought for gifted footballer Taumata, his Bulldogs teammate last year who was also shown the door from the Storm, Broncos and Roosters for alcohol-related incidents.
The Wellington-born 20-year-old is reportedly being courted by the Tigers and Roberts was happy to show him onto the wagon.
"I've had a few words with him here and there, just told him how I went about it and it looks as though he's taken that on board and done it himself. Good on him, I'm happy for him.
"I'm just happy to be able to help, not only a mate, but another dude that plays football as well. He's only just started and he's got a big career ahead of him."
The Bulldogs' upswing in fortunes from 2008 wooden spooners has coincided with Roberts'.
Bolstered by new recruits Brett Kimmorley, Michael Ennis, Ben Hannant and Josh Morris, they've stormed to third on the NRL ladder and stamped their title credentials.
Moore and chief executive Todd Greenberg worked hard to make it a family club rather than last year's culture of "party hard, train hard, play hard". Now they believe they can win the grand final on October 4.
"I'm confident and I think the whole team's confident. It's a lot easier to play well when you've got a good bunch of blokes around you and you're really enjoying your footy."
Roberts hopes that will translate into a Kiwis recall for the Four Nations tournament in October. Last year his form was so poor that Kiwis coach Steve Kearney told him he wasn't in his World Cup plans, and advised him to chase a spot in the Samoan team.
"That opportunity had a bit to do with me settling down and concentrating on football.
"I was rooming with Nigel Vagana and he was good guidance for me, just the way he carried himself off the field inspired me to clean my act up."
And the chance to link up with captain Benji Marshall in the halves again is a big lure. Players were given a clean slate after the World Cup, meaning Roberts can switch allegiance back to New Zealand if picked.
"It'd be awesome, man. We've only had one time playing together, in my first Anzac test in 2007.
"I thought we did really well considering we only had a week to prepare. I think we'd only get better over the amount of time we have in the Four Nations."
But first, Roberts is tasked with inspiring an under-strength Bulldogs to victory against a desperate Warriors.
With Kimmorley, Ennis and Morris out on State of Origin duty, Hannant injured, and Kiwi Greg Eastwood and Bryson Goodwin suspended, Roberts is their go-to man. He's relishing the chance to lead the way.
"Unlike last year we've got a lot of depth and we've got a lot of guys who are enthusiastic about this weekend.
"It's a good chance to test myself too. I've been keeping a close eye on Noddy (Kimmorley) all year so I'm looking forward to getting out there and seeing what I've learned from him."
http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-league-news/no-hangover-booze-free-roberts-2836597
