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SMH: Cordner Hopes He's Left Waiting In The Wings
Boyd Cordner is preparing to replace Greg Bird in the NSW forward pack but the 21-year-old Sydney Roosters back-rower hopes the player he grew up wanting to emulate is fit to play in next week's Origin decider.
Cordner, who has this season shown why former Roosters coach Brad Fittler gave him a taste of first grade in a pre-season trial against Wests Tigers when he was just 16, admitted he was star-struck at being around the likes of Bird, Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis in the Blues camp.
''I can say hello to them but I don't know them enough to be able to go and have a conversation with them,'' he said.
However, Cordner said he would be ready to make his Origin debut if required and has been training in place of Bird, who is battling an ankle injury. ''I'm coming into this camp with the mindset that I will be playing,'' he said. ''I think it is important because if I get the call-up I need to be ready, but I have got my fingers crossed for Birdy.
Advertisement ''He has been a massive part of this Blues squad for a number of years now and has probably been their best player. He is tough so he will play with a broken leg if he has to and I'm hoping he will be right.
''It is a big enough honour for me just to get into camp for the week and be around guys like Birdy, Gal and Lewie - the blokes I have looked up to growing up.''
Cordner, who had played just 29 NRL games before this year after a succession of knee, shoulder and jaw injuries, said his goal at the start of the season was to make the Country team for the annual clash with City - an ambition he achieved.
''It's always been a big dream of mine and every kid to play State of Origin but I thought the City-Country game was a more realistic goal for me,'' he said.
If he is called up to play, Cordner will have familiar faces around him as he defends on the left side at the Roosters with Blues five-eighth James Maloney and centre Michael Jennings, while halfback Mitchell Pearce is also in the NSW team. ''Playing with those guys and superstars like Sonny Bill Williams makes my job a lot easier and they are a big reason why I am here now, because they make me look good,'' he said.
SMH
Cordner, who has this season shown why former Roosters coach Brad Fittler gave him a taste of first grade in a pre-season trial against Wests Tigers when he was just 16, admitted he was star-struck at being around the likes of Bird, Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis in the Blues camp.
''I can say hello to them but I don't know them enough to be able to go and have a conversation with them,'' he said.
However, Cordner said he would be ready to make his Origin debut if required and has been training in place of Bird, who is battling an ankle injury. ''I'm coming into this camp with the mindset that I will be playing,'' he said. ''I think it is important because if I get the call-up I need to be ready, but I have got my fingers crossed for Birdy.
Advertisement ''He has been a massive part of this Blues squad for a number of years now and has probably been their best player. He is tough so he will play with a broken leg if he has to and I'm hoping he will be right.
''It is a big enough honour for me just to get into camp for the week and be around guys like Birdy, Gal and Lewie - the blokes I have looked up to growing up.''
Cordner, who had played just 29 NRL games before this year after a succession of knee, shoulder and jaw injuries, said his goal at the start of the season was to make the Country team for the annual clash with City - an ambition he achieved.
''It's always been a big dream of mine and every kid to play State of Origin but I thought the City-Country game was a more realistic goal for me,'' he said.
If he is called up to play, Cordner will have familiar faces around him as he defends on the left side at the Roosters with Blues five-eighth James Maloney and centre Michael Jennings, while halfback Mitchell Pearce is also in the NSW team. ''Playing with those guys and superstars like Sonny Bill Williams makes my job a lot easier and they are a big reason why I am here now, because they make me look good,'' he said.
SMH
. Carries on like he has been shot too many times for me. Cordner is way much tougher in my opinion.
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