On the drink

[JJ]

I see Willie Mason (he talks a lot eh?) has suggested that fruits of the extensive bonding sessions (on the drink) the team has had will be borne out in the test series.

1. Why is he on the tour?
2. Why do indiot journalists ask him questions? Or does he seek them out?
3. Wouldn't Willie's time be better spent practising catching, passing and talking????

Things are bad enough for the Aussies I would have thought, without that idiot making ridiculous comments. I just hope he doesn't make the test side - but he does seem to be an Ando favourite!

 

[roopy]

Willie comes from a few miles from where I come from, and that sort of thing passes for humour around here.

A few seasons ago there was a punchup in a game and Willie grabbed the nearest opposition player in a headlock and pretended to punch the hell out of him - let's face it - the guy thinks he is a comedian.

The sad thing is, i played with and against dozens of guys in the various teams of southern Lake Macquarie who all had the same sense of humour. Big Les Mason (Willie's BIG brother) plays for Wangi Wangi Warriors, and his mouth is supposed to be bigger than his body (hard to belive since the guy hasn't got a lot of change out of 7 feet and 25 stone).

 

[bazza]

2. Why do indiot journalists ask him questions? Or does he seek them out?

He is one of those guys - like David Campese and Anthony Mundine - who journos like to talk to to get controversial quotes

 

[bayrep]

Does old Willie have a bit of drinking problem ? wasnt he in trouble at the end of last year Monday Madness with the Bulldogs ? or is this a case of wrong place write time for media.

 

[In-goal]

Why are they Drinking at all?

You would think that they would be pretty serious about the ashes coming up, are the GB squad out getting blind every night and passing it off as a pre test warm up.

Come on Britian

 

[Fampa]

What Pacific Island nation did Willie dump (he played in the World Cup) in order to play for the Kangaroos?

 

[JJ]

Dunno - either Samo or Tonga. I know the NZ selectors were keen on having him too (as with Villasanti who played for Junior Kiwis). IMO these guys who to and fro can't be totally committed. Villasanti has said his main aim is Origin, that's why he made himself available for Aust. If I was a selector, that sort of talk would rule him out - he basically said he's not too fussed which country he plays for, but given being a Kiwi rules him out of Origin...

Seems some of the magic of the Kangaroo jumper might be being lost...very sad

 

[Paullyboy]

Why are they Drinking at all?

You would think that they would be pretty serious about the ashes coming up, are the GB squad out getting blind every night and passing it off as a pre test warm up.

Come on Britian

Its the Australian way mate, Australians love nothing more than a drink and it is a brilliant way to develop mateship that simply cannot be made by running around.

All australian sporting teams do it too, its a tradition that is well used before every state of origin series too, and thats the hardest contest in rugby league.

I just wish i was there to join em!

 

[In-goal]

don't get me wrong about the drinking, what i'm saying is is this the way to prepare for the biggest of test series. Imagine if England A had got over the line in those dying moments.

 

[Bobby DIGital]

ahh the test is still 8 days away let them get on the piss. Just dont let them get up to any mischief a la Brett Mullins

 

[Paullyboy]

Yeh exactly, having a drink more than a week out from a game will have no effect on your performance whatsoever.

 

[JJ]

Yeh exactly, having a drink more than a week out from a game will have no effect on your performance whatsoever.

That may or may not be so. But "big" Willie seemed to be implying that the drinking/bonding (macho bullshit) sessions hadn't exactly been ideal preparation so far. Now, we know Willie is no Rhodes scholar, but if it's been an impediment to performance so far, perhaps it has been a little out of hand.

As I said earlier, he in particular needs to spend less time in the bar, and more on the training paddock working on fundamental skills. If he could become an 50 or 60 min player he might be worth half the media coverage he gets