Dezolt returns with point to prove
WHEN Paul Dezolt landed in New Zealand two months ago he made a point of circling round nine on the National Rugby League draw.
Having been let go by the North Queensland Cowboys at the end of last season but then granted a lifeline by the New Zealand Warriors several months later, Dezolt had a burning desire to be in the top grade for the clash against his former club.
At Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday night that goal will become a reality as the 25-year-old returns home to the North to take on his old club in his debut NRL match for the Warriors.
"I marked this game out," Dezolt said. "I always wanted to come home and play and get a go."
Dezolt's window of opportunity opened when hooker Tevita Latu suffered a dislocated shoulder during the Warriors' 20-14 win over Melbourne last Sunday.
Latu's injury continued a cursed run for players wearing the Warriors' No. 9 jersey which had already claimed PJ Marsh (neck) and Monty Betham (broken arm) in recent times.
But if ever a player was going to jump at the chance to wear the jersey it was Dezolt, who earlier this year signed a temporary contract with the Warriors which expires next month.
"They're calling me the voodoo man," he joked. "There's an opportunity here for another month of first grade and hopefully it'll put me back in the picture for the NRL."
Although Dezolt had played just two official games for the Countie Manukau Jets in New Zealand's Bartercard Cup competition before receiving his opportunity earlier this week, he said a recent meeting with Warriors coach Daniel Anderson had been encouraging.
Dezolt admitted before the meeting he had been feeling the pressure with time running out to impress for a further contract.
"He (Anderson) said if things (contract negotiations) don't work out with PJ (Marsh) then he wants me here next year," Dezolt said.
"I think PJ will be right and I hope he is. If he is then I'll go back to Brisbane and the club (Brisbane Easts) will try to help me continue on somewhere else."
Saturday night's clash will not only be special for Dezolt but also for talented Warriors half Stacey Jones, who will become the first player to play 200 first grade games for the Warriors.
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