Tweet
Mini maybe the next Capt
From Yesterdays News:
THE Roosters may have missed out on a second straight finals series - and only just avoided the wooden spoon - but the glamour club are bound to turn the corner in 2013.
And cult hero Anthony Minichiello has even nominated the five players he thinks can help the Bondi club return to September.
The Chooks were brilliant in their 44-20 victory over the Wests Tigers on Sunday, which left plenty of fans wondering where that blistering form had been all season.
Minichiello, who celebrated his 250th game on the weekend with a try, would love to make it successive wins to finish the year against competition leaders Canterbury on Saturday.
Mini was even more enthusiastic about starting afresh next season.
And on top of his list of five players to resurrect the Roosters was none other than Sonny Bill Williams.
"Sonny Bill is coming to the club, so that's pretty exciting," Minichiello said. "He's been out of the game a while, but he's one of the top players in union and league, he's certainly a marquee player who will bring in sponsors, fans and hopefully wins.
"James Maloney will also come in and partner Mitchell Pearce in the halves. He's a good goal-kicker and will bring some leadership to the team as well."
Minichiello gave young back-rower Boyd Cordner a huge wrap, and said: "He's had a full year of first grade now, he's tough, has a great attitude and will only step it up again with another pre-season under his belt."
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck scored his first NRL try on the weekend and has even been tipped as Minichiello's long-term No. 1 successor. While Minichiello has no plans to relinquish the fullback gig, he was happy to add Tuivasa-Sheck to his top five.
"He's got speed and footwork and another guy who will be better with another pre-season," Minichiello said.
The final player on the veteran's list has not even been sighted in the NRL, but is bound to make a real impression next year.
"Kane Evans is a front-rower in the Toyota Cup who has been outstanding. He's got a tough attitude and loves to mix it up with the big boys. I'm looking forward to playing with him," Minichiello said.
He said the challenge this Saturday would be repeating what they did against the Tigers.
"It would be nice to finish with another win," said Minichiello, who received nearly 1000 messages of encouragement from fans before Sunday's milestone.
"The Dogs had a loss on the weekend, so they'll be out to rectify that this week. It will be a tough game, but if we play like we did yesterday, it will be a good match.
"We've got to play like that on a consistent basis, and get everyone up and mentally prepared.
"I think that if everything goes well next year, there's the possibility we'll do well in the comp - but a lot of hard work needs to happen, and that will start in the pre-season."
THE Roosters may have missed out on a second straight finals series - and only just avoided the wooden spoon - but the glamour club are bound to turn the corner in 2013.
And cult hero Anthony Minichiello has even nominated the five players he thinks can help the Bondi club return to September.
The Chooks were brilliant in their 44-20 victory over the Wests Tigers on Sunday, which left plenty of fans wondering where that blistering form had been all season.
Minichiello, who celebrated his 250th game on the weekend with a try, would love to make it successive wins to finish the year against competition leaders Canterbury on Saturday.
Mini was even more enthusiastic about starting afresh next season.
And on top of his list of five players to resurrect the Roosters was none other than Sonny Bill Williams.
"Sonny Bill is coming to the club, so that's pretty exciting," Minichiello said. "He's been out of the game a while, but he's one of the top players in union and league, he's certainly a marquee player who will bring in sponsors, fans and hopefully wins.
"James Maloney will also come in and partner Mitchell Pearce in the halves. He's a good goal-kicker and will bring some leadership to the team as well."
Minichiello gave young back-rower Boyd Cordner a huge wrap, and said: "He's had a full year of first grade now, he's tough, has a great attitude and will only step it up again with another pre-season under his belt."
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck scored his first NRL try on the weekend and has even been tipped as Minichiello's long-term No. 1 successor. While Minichiello has no plans to relinquish the fullback gig, he was happy to add Tuivasa-Sheck to his top five.
"He's got speed and footwork and another guy who will be better with another pre-season," Minichiello said.
The final player on the veteran's list has not even been sighted in the NRL, but is bound to make a real impression next year.
"Kane Evans is a front-rower in the Toyota Cup who has been outstanding. He's got a tough attitude and loves to mix it up with the big boys. I'm looking forward to playing with him," Minichiello said.
He said the challenge this Saturday would be repeating what they did against the Tigers.
"It would be nice to finish with another win," said Minichiello, who received nearly 1000 messages of encouragement from fans before Sunday's milestone.
"The Dogs had a loss on the weekend, so they'll be out to rectify that this week. It will be a tough game, but if we play like we did yesterday, it will be a good match.
"We've got to play like that on a consistent basis, and get everyone up and mentally prepared.
"I think that if everything goes well next year, there's the possibility we'll do well in the comp - but a lot of hard work needs to happen, and that will start in the pre-season."
Comment