- Messages
- 100,984
Petero wants to inspire Panthers
October 29, 2007 - 5:17PM
Star Penrith recruit Petero Civoniceva is hoping his arrival will not only benefit the NRL club's blossoming juniors but also help the Panthers' underachieving senior players lift their game.
Civoniceva arrived at CUA Stadium on Monday to meet his new teammates after 10 years with Brisbane.
The hulking prop said he was confident he could play a large role in helping the Panthers rebuild after they collected the wooden spoon in Matthew Elliott's first season as coach.
Veterans such as Tony Puletua, Trent Waterhouse and Luke Priddis have dipped in form since playing a pivotal role in the Panthers' 2003 premiership win.
Asked whether his arrival could help inspire those players back to the sort of form that earned them past representative honours, Civoniceva said: "That could be the case. Obviously there's a lot of guys here that have played some rep football and hopefully in my role here, I can do that.
"A big thing in my decision to come down here was the strength of the forward pack they have and hopefully I can add a few different view points on how I do things and they can teach me something as well."
Civoniceva was also excited about the chance to work with the club's talented junior group.
"We've seen some of the best juniors in rugby league come out of this district, so hopefully, I can have an impact there in my time down here," he said.
Coach Elliott is confident Civoniceva's influence will be huge, judging by the reaction from his players when the club landed the big man.
"I was stunned. I was obviously very chuffed at being able to secure a player of his quality, but the player reaction to it was something that really did blow me away," Elliott said.
"They're all looking forward to playing footy with him."
Despite his credentials, Elliott said Civoniceva was not guaranteed a place in starting line-up every week, in line with the policy that resulted in seasoned veterans like Puletua and Priddis dropped at various stages last year.
"I think what we have to stress is that now at this club, after debuting ten guys in first grade and building our first grade up from a very narrow squad to a very wide squad, is that they're all under the pump to hold their position," he said.
"And I would like to think that Petero sees himself in that position as well and when you know someone is a competitor like he is, I've got no doubt that's how he sees it.
"He's going to have to play his best football to hold his spot."
Fellow recruit Joe Williams was another who would have to fight for a spot, Elliott said.
The former Souths halfback is locked in a battle with former Canberra junior Josh McCrone and Keith Peters, while Elliott said fullback Jarrod Sammutt, who impressed in place of injured Rhys Wesser late last season, would also be trialled at halfback in the pre-season.
"I thought Jarrod, as an individual, had a fairly large impact on the team at the end of the year through the way he played," Elliott said.
"The character and the conduct of his performances certainly impacted on me.
© 2007 AAP
http://news.leaguehq.com.au/petero-wants-to-inspire-panthers/20073629-16we.html
October 29, 2007 - 5:17PM
Star Penrith recruit Petero Civoniceva is hoping his arrival will not only benefit the NRL club's blossoming juniors but also help the Panthers' underachieving senior players lift their game.
Civoniceva arrived at CUA Stadium on Monday to meet his new teammates after 10 years with Brisbane.
The hulking prop said he was confident he could play a large role in helping the Panthers rebuild after they collected the wooden spoon in Matthew Elliott's first season as coach.
Veterans such as Tony Puletua, Trent Waterhouse and Luke Priddis have dipped in form since playing a pivotal role in the Panthers' 2003 premiership win.
Asked whether his arrival could help inspire those players back to the sort of form that earned them past representative honours, Civoniceva said: "That could be the case. Obviously there's a lot of guys here that have played some rep football and hopefully in my role here, I can do that.
"A big thing in my decision to come down here was the strength of the forward pack they have and hopefully I can add a few different view points on how I do things and they can teach me something as well."
Civoniceva was also excited about the chance to work with the club's talented junior group.
"We've seen some of the best juniors in rugby league come out of this district, so hopefully, I can have an impact there in my time down here," he said.
Coach Elliott is confident Civoniceva's influence will be huge, judging by the reaction from his players when the club landed the big man.
"I was stunned. I was obviously very chuffed at being able to secure a player of his quality, but the player reaction to it was something that really did blow me away," Elliott said.
"They're all looking forward to playing footy with him."
Despite his credentials, Elliott said Civoniceva was not guaranteed a place in starting line-up every week, in line with the policy that resulted in seasoned veterans like Puletua and Priddis dropped at various stages last year.
"I think what we have to stress is that now at this club, after debuting ten guys in first grade and building our first grade up from a very narrow squad to a very wide squad, is that they're all under the pump to hold their position," he said.
"And I would like to think that Petero sees himself in that position as well and when you know someone is a competitor like he is, I've got no doubt that's how he sees it.
"He's going to have to play his best football to hold his spot."
Fellow recruit Joe Williams was another who would have to fight for a spot, Elliott said.
The former Souths halfback is locked in a battle with former Canberra junior Josh McCrone and Keith Peters, while Elliott said fullback Jarrod Sammutt, who impressed in place of injured Rhys Wesser late last season, would also be trialled at halfback in the pre-season.
"I thought Jarrod, as an individual, had a fairly large impact on the team at the end of the year through the way he played," Elliott said.
"The character and the conduct of his performances certainly impacted on me.
© 2007 AAP
http://news.leaguehq.com.au/petero-wants-to-inspire-panthers/20073629-16we.html
