Dogaholic
First Grade
- Messages
- 5,075
By DEAN RITCHIE
March 19, 2004
MANLY'S former heavwyeight boxing champion Solomon Haumono last night issued an extraordinary challenge to Roosters firebrand Adrian Morley: "Run at me!"
Two of the game's most punishing and feared forwards will collide at Brookvale Oval before a huge crowd tomorrow night.
The Sea Eagles coaching staff privately claim opposition players are shifting to the other side of the ruck to avoid Haumono.
Haumono showed off his remarkable physique for The Daily Telegraph yesterday afternoon at training.
The Sea Eagles second-rower only had 33 minutes of field time last weekend against North Queensland but is craving more against the Roosters.
"I was frustrated last week and disappointed in my game time," Haumono said.
"I want more match time against the Roosters.
"I don't care who runs at me and I'll even throw down a challenge for them to run at me, and that includes Adrian Morley."
Morley was contacted by The Daily Telegraph last night but preferred to say little.
"It doesn't worry me what he [Haumono] says," Morley said.
"I just want to play my own game.
"I'm not getting drawn into any slanging match."
Manly football manager Peter Peters said his player was fired up to confront the Roosters, who, like Manly, secured a round one victory.
"I think the public will relish Solomon's challenge," Peters said last night.
"There are too many robots in the game.
"It's about power, collision and confrontation.
"I noticed last week that someone wrote that New Zealand player Monty Betham was the most feared forward in rugby league.
"The bloke who wrote the story that obviously hasn't been watching Haumono play."
Manly coach Des Hasler said Haumono and Morley will provide some fireworks.
"This clash has the potential to re-ignite the days of Mark Carroll and Paul Harragon tearing into each other," Hasler said.
"That was a contest the public loved."
The Roosters were disappointing last weekend against Souths, with coach Ricky Stuart publicly claiming his side's performance was "disgraceful".
But there is little doubt the Roosters will be more focused and intense when they travel to Brookvale.
Manly were delighted with their comeback win over the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville but players realise the battle that lies ahead tomorrow night. "The Roosters are the yardstick," Hasler said.
March 19, 2004
MANLY'S former heavwyeight boxing champion Solomon Haumono last night issued an extraordinary challenge to Roosters firebrand Adrian Morley: "Run at me!"
Two of the game's most punishing and feared forwards will collide at Brookvale Oval before a huge crowd tomorrow night.
The Sea Eagles coaching staff privately claim opposition players are shifting to the other side of the ruck to avoid Haumono.
Haumono showed off his remarkable physique for The Daily Telegraph yesterday afternoon at training.
The Sea Eagles second-rower only had 33 minutes of field time last weekend against North Queensland but is craving more against the Roosters.
"I was frustrated last week and disappointed in my game time," Haumono said.
"I want more match time against the Roosters.
"I don't care who runs at me and I'll even throw down a challenge for them to run at me, and that includes Adrian Morley."
Morley was contacted by The Daily Telegraph last night but preferred to say little.
"It doesn't worry me what he [Haumono] says," Morley said.
"I just want to play my own game.
"I'm not getting drawn into any slanging match."
Manly football manager Peter Peters said his player was fired up to confront the Roosters, who, like Manly, secured a round one victory.
"I think the public will relish Solomon's challenge," Peters said last night.
"There are too many robots in the game.
"It's about power, collision and confrontation.
"I noticed last week that someone wrote that New Zealand player Monty Betham was the most feared forward in rugby league.
"The bloke who wrote the story that obviously hasn't been watching Haumono play."
Manly coach Des Hasler said Haumono and Morley will provide some fireworks.
"This clash has the potential to re-ignite the days of Mark Carroll and Paul Harragon tearing into each other," Hasler said.
"That was a contest the public loved."
The Roosters were disappointing last weekend against Souths, with coach Ricky Stuart publicly claiming his side's performance was "disgraceful".
But there is little doubt the Roosters will be more focused and intense when they travel to Brookvale.
Manly were delighted with their comeback win over the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville but players realise the battle that lies ahead tomorrow night. "The Roosters are the yardstick," Hasler said.
