- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Resilient Queensland hooker Sean Hardman becomes the Reds first player to reach a ‘Super century’ this weekend but believes his career highlight is ahead of him in 2009.
Hardman – who started his career alongside the likes of John Eales, Tim Horan, Toutai Kefu, Michael Foley and Chris Latham – will surpass them all when he plays his 100th Super rugby clash against the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday morning (AEDT).
As a measure of his durability and toughness, the four-Test rake has seen off the likes of fellow Wallabies hookers Foley, Tai McIsaac and Stephen Moore to start his 10th season with the Reds No.2 jersey.
If all goes well in 2009, Hardman – who has made 124 appearances for Queensland – will become the state’s most-capped player, breaking Mark Connors’ record of 134.
But the veteran, who must lift an inexperienced and lightweight pack for a possible Pretoria boilover, feels the unfancied Reds could give him the team highlight he’s craving.
“Going to the 2007 World Cup was a highlight and I really savoured every moment of that,” Hardman said.
“But I think the best highlights are yet to come. There’s a great feeling around the team and things are looking pretty promising.
“It’s a great feeling to have reached this milestone but on the day it will be business as usual for me.”
They must stand up to the Springbok-laden Bulls pack, led by Victor Matfield, at Loftus Versfeld without enforcers James Horwill, Hugh McMeniman and big recruit Ezra Taylor.
Coach Phil Mooney is an unavowed Hardman fan due to his sheer determination, and had no problems making the controversial call to drop Moore early last year when he felt Hardman’s leadership would give his team more oomph.
“Because of (his determination), along the way he has built a great career and earned a lot of respect from his teammates,” said Mooney.
“He has played with some great players and I think they would all say: `Hardy is a great man to have in your team’.
Mooney has been forced to risk Charlie Fetoai’s gammy knee in the midfield battle on Sunday with Morgan Turinui ruled out due to a shoulder injury.
Turinui carried the injury through all three trials and has been rested for the Reds’ first visit to Pretoria since the record 92-3 loss two seasons ago.
Fetoai himself hasn’t played since suffering a knee injury in the Reds opening trial loss against NSW.
But the former Broncos rookie has form against the Bulls, playing a strong game in a call-up to replace Berrick Barnes as Queensland upset the South Africans 40-8 in Brisbane last year.
Mooney has picked seven new caps in his squad, including former All Blacks forward Daniel Braid and ex-Canberra Raider Mark McLinden.
Queensland: Peter Hynes, Digby Ioane, Charlie Fetoai, Berrick Barnes (capt), Brando Va’aulu, Quade Cooper, Ben Lucas, Leroy Houston, Daniel Braid, Scott Higginbotham, Adam Byrnes, Van Humphries, Dayna Edwards, Sean Hardman, Greg Holmes. Res: Saia Faingaa, Laurie Weeks, Robert Simmons, Poutasi Luafutu, Will Genia, Anthony Faingaa, Mark McLinden.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.