You can count on me: Mini's call to Stuart led to big call
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...to-big-call-20110606-1fpbc.html#ixzz1OVTo2900
AS RICKY STUART sweated on the availability of Josh Dugan for Origin II, he received a phone call from veteran Sydney Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello.
''If you decide you need me as an option I am right to go,'' Minichiello told Stuart.
Last night, Minichiello joined the NSW team for dinner at a Coogee restaurant after being called up by Stuart to wear the Blues No.1 jersey at ANZ Stadium tomorrow week following the loss of Dugan with an ankle injury.
It was the end of a day of drama in the NSW camp as Dugan declared he would be fit to play before undergoing scans in Canberra that confirmed he would be sidelined for up to five weeks. Stuart hadn't even considered handing Minichiello his 10th Blues cap - and the first since 2007 - until Dugan was injured in the Raiders' loss to North Queensland on Sunday, and Manly coach Des Hasler advised him that Brett Stewart probably wasn't ready for the rigours of Origin.
The pair have a long association, with Minichiello the fullback when Stuart coached the Roosters from 2002 to 2006 and the NSW No.1 in his victorious 2005 team, the last Blues side to win an Origin series. ''I am good mates with 'Sticky'. I don't class him as a coach, I class him as a mate so I just thought I would give him a call, and I said, 'If you decide you need me as an option, I am right to go,''' Minichiello told the Herald. ''I always hoped in the back of my mind that I would get a shot again, and I just worked hard at training and tried to do well for my club. Unfortunately, there has been a few injuries so I am fortunate to get another shot.'' The Herald revealed yesterday that Minichiello was set to be a shock choice as Blues fullback if Dugan was ruled out but his selection wasn't officially confirmed until after 5pm yesterday.
Even then, Stuart and other members of the NSW brains trust quickly discussed other options, including moving either winger Jarryd Hayne or utility Kurt Gidley to fullback, before Minichiello received the phone call telling him he was in the side.
'''Mini' rang me and said he wanted to know what was going on. He said, 'I am ready if you want me,''' Stuart said. ''You can't get any better qualifications in regards to a bloke's mental attitude. He just had to wait . ''I gave Josh every opportunity in regards to the scans, and I feel very sorry for him, but I have got an experienced guy coming in to fill that spot, and I am excited about working with Mini again.
''I am very comfortable with where I have got Jarryd and Kurt in the team and the roles that they are going to play with us. By bringing a legitimate fullback into that position, who has been there before and performed well at that level, gives me confidence he will just fit into how we are going to play.''
Asked if he had expected to coach the 2005 Golden Boot winner again when he was appointed to the NSW job, Stuart said: ''No, and I don't think Mini would have either. He has had a wonderful career, and it would be lovely to be able to do something for him next Wednesday night.'' When Stuart last coached him, Minichiello was regarded as the world's best player but a debilitating back injury threatened to end his career, and he had declared his availability to help Italy qualify for the 2013 World Cup in the belief his representative career was all but over.
When speculation first arose that he was under consideration to replace Dugan, Minichiello doubted it would happen but he was overwhelmed yesterday by phone calls and text messages wishing him well. ''I thought there's Hayne and a few other boys who are going well. There is a lot of good fullbacks out there,'' he said. ''My last full series was in 2005. I played one game in 2007, so hopefully I can help bring back that winning culture. It is a really good side so I am looking forward to playing with the boys. It is a fresh start and a lot of new talent so I am excited to be a part of it again.'' The Raiders were dealt a further blow yesterday when it was confirmed five-eighth Terry Campese would miss a further six weeks with a groin injury.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...to-big-call-20110606-1fpbc.html#ixzz1OVTo2900
AS RICKY STUART sweated on the availability of Josh Dugan for Origin II, he received a phone call from veteran Sydney Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello.
''If you decide you need me as an option I am right to go,'' Minichiello told Stuart.
Last night, Minichiello joined the NSW team for dinner at a Coogee restaurant after being called up by Stuart to wear the Blues No.1 jersey at ANZ Stadium tomorrow week following the loss of Dugan with an ankle injury.
It was the end of a day of drama in the NSW camp as Dugan declared he would be fit to play before undergoing scans in Canberra that confirmed he would be sidelined for up to five weeks. Stuart hadn't even considered handing Minichiello his 10th Blues cap - and the first since 2007 - until Dugan was injured in the Raiders' loss to North Queensland on Sunday, and Manly coach Des Hasler advised him that Brett Stewart probably wasn't ready for the rigours of Origin.
The pair have a long association, with Minichiello the fullback when Stuart coached the Roosters from 2002 to 2006 and the NSW No.1 in his victorious 2005 team, the last Blues side to win an Origin series. ''I am good mates with 'Sticky'. I don't class him as a coach, I class him as a mate so I just thought I would give him a call, and I said, 'If you decide you need me as an option, I am right to go,''' Minichiello told the Herald. ''I always hoped in the back of my mind that I would get a shot again, and I just worked hard at training and tried to do well for my club. Unfortunately, there has been a few injuries so I am fortunate to get another shot.'' The Herald revealed yesterday that Minichiello was set to be a shock choice as Blues fullback if Dugan was ruled out but his selection wasn't officially confirmed until after 5pm yesterday.
Even then, Stuart and other members of the NSW brains trust quickly discussed other options, including moving either winger Jarryd Hayne or utility Kurt Gidley to fullback, before Minichiello received the phone call telling him he was in the side.
'''Mini' rang me and said he wanted to know what was going on. He said, 'I am ready if you want me,''' Stuart said. ''You can't get any better qualifications in regards to a bloke's mental attitude. He just had to wait . ''I gave Josh every opportunity in regards to the scans, and I feel very sorry for him, but I have got an experienced guy coming in to fill that spot, and I am excited about working with Mini again.
''I am very comfortable with where I have got Jarryd and Kurt in the team and the roles that they are going to play with us. By bringing a legitimate fullback into that position, who has been there before and performed well at that level, gives me confidence he will just fit into how we are going to play.''
Asked if he had expected to coach the 2005 Golden Boot winner again when he was appointed to the NSW job, Stuart said: ''No, and I don't think Mini would have either. He has had a wonderful career, and it would be lovely to be able to do something for him next Wednesday night.'' When Stuart last coached him, Minichiello was regarded as the world's best player but a debilitating back injury threatened to end his career, and he had declared his availability to help Italy qualify for the 2013 World Cup in the belief his representative career was all but over.
When speculation first arose that he was under consideration to replace Dugan, Minichiello doubted it would happen but he was overwhelmed yesterday by phone calls and text messages wishing him well. ''I thought there's Hayne and a few other boys who are going well. There is a lot of good fullbacks out there,'' he said. ''My last full series was in 2005. I played one game in 2007, so hopefully I can help bring back that winning culture. It is a really good side so I am looking forward to playing with the boys. It is a fresh start and a lot of new talent so I am excited to be a part of it again.'' The Raiders were dealt a further blow yesterday when it was confirmed five-eighth Terry Campese would miss a further six weeks with a groin injury.
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