PAUL Gallen has one of the biggest engines in rugby league - but even he is amazed at the fitness levels of Cronulla recruit Todd Carney.
Paul Gallen, who last year famously slugged it out for 80 minutes in the front row for NSW during Origin II, said Carney is easily leading the way in speed and endurance tests during the off-season.
And Carney's skills are such that his teammates are struggling to keep up.
The day before Gallen plays in Saturday's NRL All Stars match on the Gold Coast, Carney will get first crack at Cronulla's No.7 jumper in a trial against Manly
"He's unbelievably fit for a bloke who isn't that big, but he's very strong," Gallen said as he joined his fellow All Stars in camp in Coogee.
"He would be the fittest in our team and one of the fastest. We're struggling with his skill level because he's a bit up there on the rest of us.
"We're getting used to him slowly, and a couple of trials will be good for us."
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has been pleasantly surprised by former bad boy Carney, who was thrown a lifeline by the club last year.
"His speed, endurance and general skill set has surprised a lot of us," Flanagan said.
"He'll start at No.7 for us next weekend, and Wade Graham will be at six. Wade is more of a running half and Todd is happy to play that role. He did that with Terry Campese in Canberra.
"If he plays with Chad Townsend or a Jeff Robson, he will need to change that role, but Wade will be there first-up."
Gallen is easing his way back after a hectic 2011 that ended with a Four Nations title. Meanwhile, Gallen's All Stars teammate Nathan Hindmarsh has slammed a report that said he will retire at the end of the season.
"I grew up in Robertson, not Bowral, so there's a mistake already," Hindmarsh said. It was an odd story. When I'm ready to go, I will let people know."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ruit-todd-carney/story-e6frexnr-1226256627169
And Carney's skills are such that his teammates are struggling to keep up.
The day before Gallen plays in Saturday's NRL All Stars match on the Gold Coast, Carney will get first crack at Cronulla's No.7 jumper in a trial against Manly
"He's unbelievably fit for a bloke who isn't that big, but he's very strong," Gallen said as he joined his fellow All Stars in camp in Coogee.
"He would be the fittest in our team and one of the fastest. We're struggling with his skill level because he's a bit up there on the rest of us.
"We're getting used to him slowly, and a couple of trials will be good for us."
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has been pleasantly surprised by former bad boy Carney, who was thrown a lifeline by the club last year.
"His speed, endurance and general skill set has surprised a lot of us," Flanagan said.
"He'll start at No.7 for us next weekend, and Wade Graham will be at six. Wade is more of a running half and Todd is happy to play that role. He did that with Terry Campese in Canberra.
"If he plays with Chad Townsend or a Jeff Robson, he will need to change that role, but Wade will be there first-up."
Gallen is easing his way back after a hectic 2011 that ended with a Four Nations title. Meanwhile, Gallen's All Stars teammate Nathan Hindmarsh has slammed a report that said he will retire at the end of the season.
"I grew up in Robertson, not Bowral, so there's a mistake already," Hindmarsh said. It was an odd story. When I'm ready to go, I will let people know."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ruit-todd-carney/story-e6frexnr-1226256627169
