Paul Turns On The Power For Brumbies
Illawarra Mercury
Monday April 21, 2003
JEREMY Paul is set to be rewarded for his bullocking second-half performance against NSW with a return to the ACT Brumbies starting side for their Super 12 rugby clash with the Highlanders on Friday.
The Wallabies hooker has been out of favour at the Brumbies, starting the past two games off the bench.
But Paul showed his class when he replaced Digby Beaumont at half-time in the 41-15 victory over the Waratahs.
With the 26-year-old at the helm, the ACT scrum lifted against NSW, at one stage wheeling the scrum 180 degrees, while the line-out made amends for losing three first-half throws. ACT coach David Nucifora wasn't giving away selections ahead of the Dunedin match against the fifth-placed Highlanders.
But he hinted that Paul had done enough to regain the starting role.
``I think Jeremy's really worked very hard in the last couple of weeks," Nucifora said.
``I think it's starting to show in his game time as well. He did very well."
Paul said that after his shock demotion he had put his ``head down and kept working" and was hopeful of trading his No16 jersey for a No2.
``We'll see what happens with the selection panel but hopefully I can get back in to the starting team. But if not, I'll keep doing what I've been doing," Paul said.
``He's (Nucifora's) the coach and he selects the team ... You can't kick up a stink about it, even if you think it's wrong. It doesn't matter, you've got to play for the team."
Paul has 62 Super 12 caps, many of them playing alongside loosehead prop Bill Young, while Ben Darwin joined later to make up the formidable Test trio.
He said the longevity of their partnership gave them an advantage over rival front rows.
© 2003 Illawarra Mercury
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