Taylor opens up about Origin III
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Embattled giant Dave Taylor has opened up about his desperation for a shot at redemption in next Wednesday night’s State of Origin series decider.
The South Sydney forward is fighting for his Origin survival, after coach Mal Meninga declared Brisbane utility Ben Te’o a genuine contender for a bench role to add some fire and aggression to a Queensland side on the back foot early in games one and two.
“I can’t really describe how badly I want it,” confessed the 124kg Rabbitoh wrecking ball when asked what it would mean to be part of prop Petero Civoniceva’s 33rd and final Origin in front of a massive Suncorp Stadium crowd.
“There’s not too many things in the world I want more than this.”
Taylor’s words are those of a man hurting and desperately wanting to redeem himself for his own peace of mind.
“Just to be able to go out and play a good Origin game and just play for the boys,” he said on Wednesday.
“I just want to go out and work as hard as I can for 80 minutes for them.”
Meninga feels Taylor’s pain and anguish.
He believes the 23-year-old is going through a tough patch which most footballers experience at some stage of their careers.
“I think Dave will come out of it a better player if he handles it the right way,” Meninga told AAP after naming a 20-man roster to cover injury concerns within the Maroons squad.
“He’s still learning the game. He’s still young and he’s still got plenty of maturity in him.
“He’s just going through a little tough period personally and professionally at the moment. He’ll get through it.
“He’s had it fairly easy so far because he’s a big kid who runs really fast and hard and he’s got some skills about him.”
Asked if being blessed with such skills for a big man had been a curse, Taylor smiled and said: “I’m happy to have them …. I wouldn’t give it away.”
He’ll be desperately hoping Meninga feels the same way and doesn’t continue his Origin rollercoaster ride by giving away his prized Maroon jumper on Wednesday night.
© AAP 2013
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The Crowd Says (8) | Page 1 of Comments
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- Dave Taylor, maroons, NRL, Rugby League, State Of Origin
June 28th 2012 @ 7:33am
Silvio said | June 28th 2012 @ 7:33am | Report comment
Naming a 20 man squad? Why don’t they name every eligible Queenslander including Australian based Kiwi’s and not name there run on side until an hour before kick off?
Each year the SOO is becoming more and more complexed and confusing! Why can’t both camps name 17 fit and ready players?
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June 28th 2012 @ 8:26am
GD said | June 28th 2012 @ 8:26am | Report comment
This is something Steve Mascord has been banging on about lately – there isn’t really anyone in charge of S.O.O, apparently. Steve thinks the ARLC should appoint some kind of tournament director to enforce rules such as squad sizes, when teams are named, media access, access to referees, etc. He’s spot on, too – it’s a bit of a circus at the moment, and each side is as guilty as the other. They are going to keep pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable a little further each year, you can bet on that.
I’m pretty sure Steve reads the Roar, too. Hi Steve!
June 28th 2012 @ 8:46am
Hoy said | June 28th 2012 @ 8:46am | Report comment
He had a shocking start to the game against the Broncs last week as well, dropping ball after ball.
June 28th 2012 @ 9:03am
WQ said | June 28th 2012 @ 9:03am | Report comment
Some players are excellent club players that just don’t step up to that next level, maybe this guy is one of them?
June 28th 2012 @ 12:14pm
Mac said | June 28th 2012 @ 12:14pm | Report comment
Please pick him again Mal NSW would love it..
June 28th 2012 @ 12:56pm
The Barry said | June 28th 2012 @ 12:56pm | Report comment
I love the phrase “Embattled giant”
June 29th 2012 @ 9:48am
Maroon Blood said | June 29th 2012 @ 9:48am | Report comment
They used to say that players grew bigger and stronger when they pulled on the Maroon jumper, Big Dave just seems to poop his pants……literally before Game I apparently! Now he has been replaced, will be interesting to see how he bounces back.
June 29th 2012 @ 5:10pm
Stanley Bridge said | June 29th 2012 @ 5:10pm | Report comment
Taylor is just too soft for Origin. He is used to coming up against one or two hard men on opposition teams so having to come to grips with a Blues pack bristling with toughness and ready to roll up their sleeves and play rugged match winning footy Taylor caved in. Check the youtube clip from 2010 when Luke O’Donnell grabs Taylor…..new undies time for big Dave.