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http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/printpage/0,5481,12686482,00.html
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Grand honour for heroes
Karl deKroo
29mar05
TWO of Melbourne Storm's greatest players will be immortalised by having grandstands at Olympic Park named after them.
Premiership-winning captain Glenn Lazarus and inspirational forward Tawera Nikau will be honoured in a special presentation before kick-off at Saturday night's game against Brisbane.
Melbourne Storm officials refused to comment on the plan to honour Lazarus and Nikau last night, but the Herald Sun understands both players will attend Saturday's game.
Storm's inaugural director John Ribot said Lazarus and Nikau would be deserving of the honour.
"I think it's an enormous accolade for those guys and one that they have certainly earned, not just through their contribution to Storm, but to the game," former boss Ribot said.
"They are two of rugby league's great warriors and they helped put the game on the map in Victoria."
Both Lazarus, who is affectionately know as the "Brick with Eyes" and Nikau, came to Melbourne at the back end of their careers, but they were key contributors to Storm's 1999 premiership success.
"They are icons and their contribution to Storm cannot be understated," Ribot said.
"People laughed at us when we signed Lazzo, he broke his ankle early on and they all said he was washed up. But we banked on the fact he was a champion, and they rarely let you down.
"(Nikau's) performance in the second half of the grand final in 1999 was unlike anything I've seen."
Lazarus is living and working in Brisbane after a stunning career which landed five premierships for three different clubs (Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne).
Nikau, living in his native New Zealand, was left to raise his two children after the death of his wife Letitia in 2001. He then had his right leg amputated following a motorcycle accident in 2003.
well done guys, you both are legend with storm and RL fans and thoughly deserved.
Well done T and Lazo.
Print this page
Grand honour for heroes
Karl deKroo
29mar05
TWO of Melbourne Storm's greatest players will be immortalised by having grandstands at Olympic Park named after them.
Premiership-winning captain Glenn Lazarus and inspirational forward Tawera Nikau will be honoured in a special presentation before kick-off at Saturday night's game against Brisbane.
Melbourne Storm officials refused to comment on the plan to honour Lazarus and Nikau last night, but the Herald Sun understands both players will attend Saturday's game.
Storm's inaugural director John Ribot said Lazarus and Nikau would be deserving of the honour.
"I think it's an enormous accolade for those guys and one that they have certainly earned, not just through their contribution to Storm, but to the game," former boss Ribot said.
"They are two of rugby league's great warriors and they helped put the game on the map in Victoria."
Both Lazarus, who is affectionately know as the "Brick with Eyes" and Nikau, came to Melbourne at the back end of their careers, but they were key contributors to Storm's 1999 premiership success.
"They are icons and their contribution to Storm cannot be understated," Ribot said.
"People laughed at us when we signed Lazzo, he broke his ankle early on and they all said he was washed up. But we banked on the fact he was a champion, and they rarely let you down.
"(Nikau's) performance in the second half of the grand final in 1999 was unlike anything I've seen."
Lazarus is living and working in Brisbane after a stunning career which landed five premierships for three different clubs (Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne).
Nikau, living in his native New Zealand, was left to raise his two children after the death of his wife Letitia in 2001. He then had his right leg amputated following a motorcycle accident in 2003.
well done guys, you both are legend with storm and RL fans and thoughly deserved.
Well done T and Lazo.
