Time For 'tahs To Recognise Back-rower's Six Appeal, Says Lidbury
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday June 21, 2004
The next big thing for the NSW Waratahs is wearing a Gordon jersey, says Highlanders coach Steve Lidbury.
Lidbury called on the NSW coaching staff earlier this year to consider his young No.6, Kingsley Seale , as a potential recruit, and yesterday the former Wallabies back-rower reiterated his belief in Seale's talent.
``I think they should definitely have a look at him, he's exactly what everyone is after at blindside these days," Lidbury said.
``The way lineouts and things are you, need these guys with height, and Kingsley's great in the air and around the park."
Lidbury was speaking after his side's courageous 29-22 victory over the more-favoured Manly in the opening round of the Tooheys New Cup on Saturday, a win they constructed despite a deficit of three tries to two and an early lead to the Marlins of 17-3.
``We're really getting that spirit into the side now," Lidbury said. ``We probably didn't click that well, with a few blokes back in the side, like Manly, but that fighting spirit was on display."
Gordon were strengthened by the return of Fijian second-rower Seva Rokobaro , Brumbies centre Joel Wilson and their captain Dom Byrne, but faced a Manly team which included Waratahs Nathan Grey and Simon Kasprowicz, Seale's opponent, with playmaker Paul Warwick and fullback Peter Hewat also back in the side.
Hewat is believed to be close to signing with the Waratahs to become the third NSW player in the Marlins' ranks.
Seale held his own against the Kasprowicz-led pack, the young Gordon breakaway jumping at No.4 in the lineout and playing a perfect back-rower's game.
``He's got all the skills, he just needs a bit more poundage really, but if NSW get the right guys early and spend a bit of time on them, then it's up to them to go on with it," Lidbury said.
Gordon will look to go on with their promising start to the season when they face a powerful Randwick side at Chatswood Oval on Sunday. The Galloping Greens also had a first-round win, defeating the newcomers to the competition, the Canberra Vikings.
Randwick finished off the visitors at Coogee Oval late in the game after grinding away against the bigger Vikings pack for the first hour, running in two late tries to win 28-6 .
But the victory may have come at a cost, with blindside breakaway Dwayne Haare limping off early with what seemed to be a serious foot injury.
Sydney University may be without their powerhouse back-rower Jone Tawake after a foot injury ended his season a fortnight ago, but a strong Students outfit scored six tries to two against Warringah for a 38-14 win.
The other three matches in the first round were even more one-sided.
Eastwood's departing star winger Scott Staniforth scored three tries in his team's 66-10 demolition of Parramatta, Eastern Suburbs defeated Northern Suburbs 57-10 and West Harbour proved too powerful for Southern Districts with a 44-5 win.
© 2004 Sydney Morning Herald
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