Wolves V Bulls: Aussie Connection
The Wolves are set to take on the Bradford Bulls in round 6 of Engage Super League XV tomorrow. Both sides are full of quality across the board and none more so than in their Australian contingent of ex-Manly and Melbourne stars.
Michael Monaghan, Chris Hicks and Matt King for the home side and Steve Menzies along with new signings Glenn Hall, Matt Orford and Heath L'Estrange for the visitors.
Head to Head
Menzies on Monaghan:
"I played at Manly with him for a few years and he played half back before they switched him to hooker. It took him a little bit of time to adjust but I really do think that's where he's best. He's got a really good kicking game out of there, he's smart, knows when to run, knows when to go the line and he can ball-play as well."
Menzies on King and Hicks:
"They're both quality and they can really finish a movement. If they need to beat one or two to get to the line, they're pretty good at doing it so we're going to have to really scramble as well as we can and make sure we've got three there if they can only beat two!"
The connections don't stop there. Wolves' Matt King lived with Matt Orford briefly in Melbourne. The pair also played junior rugby together at North Sydney Bears and then played NRL together at Melbourne Storm for three years.
King on Orford:
"Matt's a great little competitor so when we get out there on Saturday it won't be like we're mates. I've not actually seen him in person since the 2007 NRL Grand Final so it'll be great to see the little fella again....We've got the kind of friendship where we won't see each other for a while but when we do, we pick up exactly where we left off.
"What makes him special is his competitiveness and will to succeed. He talks a lot on the field but I got so much more out of what he does. He'll never back down from a challenge, which is why he loves to defend right in the middle and lines up against the big back-rowers. He's got a massive case of little man syndrome. If you tell him he can't jump a six-foot fence, the next thing you know, he'll be out there trying to prove you wrong!"
The players have nothing but good things to say about each other off the pitch and about their game but what will the contest be like on the pitch on Saturday evening?
Buy your tickets today and be there to find out. Tickets on sale in Wolfware or on the ticket hotline 0871 622 1879.
12, Mar, 2010
