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Soward and Hornby 'among NRL's best'
St George Illawarra's dynamic halves duo Jamie Soward and Ben Hornby have earned their place among the NRL's best playmaking combinations, Melbourne star Cooper Cronk claims.
Having anchored their premiership assault on battering defence, the Dragons broke their attacking shackles with a dazzling display in the 33-8 victory over North Queensland last Friday night.
Cronk believes Soward and Hornby have improved so much as a pairing that they should now be regarded as equal to any other halves in the competition.
"Their combination is only getting better," he said. "They've got great players around them, but they are a real threat in their own right.
"Confidence has a lot to do with it and they're obviously very confident and comfortable under Wayne.
"And they're hungry for success - you know they're going to have a real hot crack at you every time."
The mantle of the game's best halves combination could well belong to Cronk and five-eighth Brett Finch after the halfback made his return from a groin injury in Saturday night's 16-10 victory over Penrith. Cronk came off the bench in the first half - his first game since undergoing surgery in the offseason.
In his absence Australian Test hooker Cameron Smith has been playing in the No 7 jersey, alongside Finch who has been in brilliant touch, setting up the winning try against Newcastle in round two.
The Storm will clash with St George Illawarra tomorrow at Etihad Stadium.
"(Melbourne are) getting back to their natural team now. That's just going to cause a bit of an extra headache for us," Dragons second-rower Ben Creagh said.
"Cooper Cronk is a great player and Smith is the Australian hooker - there's a great combination there and it's going to be a tough test."
The Good Friday appeal, raising money for Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital, will be held as part of the game. Cronk said he hoped the Storm-Dragons rivalry would continue as a Good Friday tradition and eventually rival the Anzac Day games.
"Coming off last year (as premiers) and the Dragons doing what they did last year (minor premiers), the respectful rivalry we have between the two clubs means this is a showcase event," he said.
"Hopefully it is going to be locked in for a number of years.
"Anzac Day and these types of games, they're not just games for football - they're based around a big crowd and a great rivalry."
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...oward-and-hornby-among-nrls-best/1791675.aspx
St George Illawarra's dynamic halves duo Jamie Soward and Ben Hornby have earned their place among the NRL's best playmaking combinations, Melbourne star Cooper Cronk claims.
Having anchored their premiership assault on battering defence, the Dragons broke their attacking shackles with a dazzling display in the 33-8 victory over North Queensland last Friday night.
Cronk believes Soward and Hornby have improved so much as a pairing that they should now be regarded as equal to any other halves in the competition.
"Their combination is only getting better," he said. "They've got great players around them, but they are a real threat in their own right.
"Confidence has a lot to do with it and they're obviously very confident and comfortable under Wayne.
"And they're hungry for success - you know they're going to have a real hot crack at you every time."
The mantle of the game's best halves combination could well belong to Cronk and five-eighth Brett Finch after the halfback made his return from a groin injury in Saturday night's 16-10 victory over Penrith. Cronk came off the bench in the first half - his first game since undergoing surgery in the offseason.
In his absence Australian Test hooker Cameron Smith has been playing in the No 7 jersey, alongside Finch who has been in brilliant touch, setting up the winning try against Newcastle in round two.
The Storm will clash with St George Illawarra tomorrow at Etihad Stadium.
"(Melbourne are) getting back to their natural team now. That's just going to cause a bit of an extra headache for us," Dragons second-rower Ben Creagh said.
"Cooper Cronk is a great player and Smith is the Australian hooker - there's a great combination there and it's going to be a tough test."
The Good Friday appeal, raising money for Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital, will be held as part of the game. Cronk said he hoped the Storm-Dragons rivalry would continue as a Good Friday tradition and eventually rival the Anzac Day games.
"Coming off last year (as premiers) and the Dragons doing what they did last year (minor premiers), the respectful rivalry we have between the two clubs means this is a showcase event," he said.
"Hopefully it is going to be locked in for a number of years.
"Anzac Day and these types of games, they're not just games for football - they're based around a big crowd and a great rivalry."
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...oward-and-hornby-among-nrls-best/1791675.aspx
