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NRL heavyweights respect Hodgson: Tallis
Friday, May 19, 2006 - 6:49 PM
Gorden Tallis, the man who 'rag-dolled' Brett Hodgson over the sideline in his last Origin match in 2002, says the NSW fullback has the respect of rugby league's big men despite his lightweight stature.
Tallis believes the tackle which inspired his Queensland teammates to a memorable draw at Telstra Stadium and became a highlights package favourite had not left Hodgson with mental scars.
"Not at all mate. That tackle never hurt him once," said Tallis at Sea World where he mixed with a 240kg seal as part of filming for a Lowes commercial.
"It was a dominant tackle but it wasn't physical. If it hurt him mentally then he wouldn't have gone on to win a grand final and play the way he has.
"He's probably the lightest bloke in the competition and I know he gets a lot of respect from the big boys, myself included, about the way he plays week-in and week-out.
"He puts his body on the line for the Wests Tigers and he's one of their best players so I've got full respect for him."
Hodgson told the Sydney Morning Herald this week that no matter what he achieved in the 2006 series starting in Sydney on Wednesday, he'll always be shadowed by that remarkable tackle by Tallis in game three of 2002.
"I think it's something that's always going to get shown," said Hodgson, who was named in the side after Anthony Minichiello pulled out with a back injury.
"I guess it's something I'll always get remembered for. It doesn't bother me, honestly."
Tallis said the tackle was "something freakish that happened".
"He beat me for speed and I only just ended up grabbing his jersey," added former Bronco Tallis, who retired in 2004.
"We could do that again and I couldn't get him a million times.
"He was running towards the sideline and momentum was a big thing that night."
Former NSW centre Terry Hill also doubted whether Hodgson would be thinking about that incident when he plays his first Origin match in four years next week - but only because Tallis won't be there to remind him.
Asked if Hodgson would be haunted by the tackle, Hill replied: "No because Gorden's not playing, but if he was Hodgo would have something to think about.
"He's been under Tim Sheens for the past couple of years and he's grown as a player and matured a lot."
Hill, recovering from a knee reconstruction, said it was imperative the Blues won the opening Origin match in Sydney, where Queensland has failed to taste victory since 1998.
"If New South Wales lose then Queensland will grow an extra leg heading into game two in Brisbane (on June 14)," Hill said.
"But I think the Blues have a huge advantage because the first match is being played in Sydney and there's a lot of young blokes on display for the Maroons.
"I favour New South Wales because they've got more established players."
Tallis said Blues skipper Danny Buderus would be feeling the pressure without Newcastle teammate Andrew Johns, who has retired from rep football, pulling the strings at halfback.
Source: AAP
Friday, May 19, 2006 - 6:49 PM
Gorden Tallis, the man who 'rag-dolled' Brett Hodgson over the sideline in his last Origin match in 2002, says the NSW fullback has the respect of rugby league's big men despite his lightweight stature.
Tallis believes the tackle which inspired his Queensland teammates to a memorable draw at Telstra Stadium and became a highlights package favourite had not left Hodgson with mental scars.
"Not at all mate. That tackle never hurt him once," said Tallis at Sea World where he mixed with a 240kg seal as part of filming for a Lowes commercial.
"It was a dominant tackle but it wasn't physical. If it hurt him mentally then he wouldn't have gone on to win a grand final and play the way he has.
"He's probably the lightest bloke in the competition and I know he gets a lot of respect from the big boys, myself included, about the way he plays week-in and week-out.
"He puts his body on the line for the Wests Tigers and he's one of their best players so I've got full respect for him."
Hodgson told the Sydney Morning Herald this week that no matter what he achieved in the 2006 series starting in Sydney on Wednesday, he'll always be shadowed by that remarkable tackle by Tallis in game three of 2002.
"I think it's something that's always going to get shown," said Hodgson, who was named in the side after Anthony Minichiello pulled out with a back injury.
"I guess it's something I'll always get remembered for. It doesn't bother me, honestly."
Tallis said the tackle was "something freakish that happened".
"He beat me for speed and I only just ended up grabbing his jersey," added former Bronco Tallis, who retired in 2004.
"We could do that again and I couldn't get him a million times.
"He was running towards the sideline and momentum was a big thing that night."
Former NSW centre Terry Hill also doubted whether Hodgson would be thinking about that incident when he plays his first Origin match in four years next week - but only because Tallis won't be there to remind him.
Asked if Hodgson would be haunted by the tackle, Hill replied: "No because Gorden's not playing, but if he was Hodgo would have something to think about.
"He's been under Tim Sheens for the past couple of years and he's grown as a player and matured a lot."
Hill, recovering from a knee reconstruction, said it was imperative the Blues won the opening Origin match in Sydney, where Queensland has failed to taste victory since 1998.
"If New South Wales lose then Queensland will grow an extra leg heading into game two in Brisbane (on June 14)," Hill said.
"But I think the Blues have a huge advantage because the first match is being played in Sydney and there's a lot of young blokes on display for the Maroons.
"I favour New South Wales because they've got more established players."
Tallis said Blues skipper Danny Buderus would be feeling the pressure without Newcastle teammate Andrew Johns, who has retired from rep football, pulling the strings at halfback.
Source: AAP
Onya Hodgo!!
