Dual international Mat Rogers agrees exciting Roosters halves Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney are the quickest he’s seen but says the youngsters still have to handle the pressure of Friday’s NRL grand final qualifier against experienced Titans at Skilled Park.
There’s no doubt 21-year-old Pearce, the son of former Balmain legend Wayne Pearce, and 24-year-old former bad boy Carney, who’s clawed back from rugby league purgatory under coach Brian Smith, have formed a dynamic partnership behind a youthful and powerful Roosters pack.
But between them they boast just three representative games; Pearce’s Origin debut for NSW in 2008 and Carney’s two games for Country Origin.
This pales against their rivals; half Scott Prince with five Origins with Queensland and four Test appearances with the Kangaroos plus Rogers eight games for Queensland, 11 Tests for Australia and 45 games for Australia’s rugby union team before returning to the NRL.
On the score of experience, Pearce and Carney seem hopelessly outclassed but their form in recent weeks has been simply breathtaking.
“They’re two great players, they’ve just got so much skill the pair of them with the ball in their hand. They can pass, they can run, they can kick, they’ve got big futures ahead of them,” said Rogers, the 34-year-old confident of overcoming a hip injury to play.
Rogers, who made his NRL debut with Cronulla when Pearce was only six, warned on Monday players could fall victim to the big occasion, especially with the rave reviews the pair had been receiving.
“There’s been occasions in my career where I’ve looked back and knew I didn’t go into a game with the right mindset.
“I think you can let the occasion get the better of you.
“You get better at handling those situations as you get older.
“That’s not say Pearce and Carney aren’t going to come out (Friday night) with all guns blazing and have the game of their lives.”
Former Roosters hero and coach Brad Fittler commented recently he’d never seen a faster pair of halves.
Their recent performances against the Tigers and Panthers revived memories of how Brisbane’s dynamic scrum duo Allan Langer and Kevin Walters used to to cut defences to pieces in the 90s.
Rogers admitted he was left shaking his head after watching them combine against the Tigers thinking `man these guys are amazing’.
“I guess it’s up to them to stand up this week.”
Rogers said Carney wasn’t the only big story in rugby league after finding his way back from a dark place to be crowned the game’s best player.
He said the Titans had their own feel-good story in the re-born Greg Bird.
“He (Bird) has come back from the brink …. nobody wanted him and now he’s here,” said Rogers, hoping his illustrious career ends with a fairytale grand final victory next month.
“I just want to play well and write our own story,” he said.
Rogers, who came close in 1999 and 2001, concedes this is his best shot at a premiership.
“There’s a great vibe among the players, no hoopla, no carry on, we simply believe we’re good enough.
“Talking to the boys I think it just comes from confidence in the bloke next to you.
“We believe in it and we’ll get it done.”
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
I don't know about Greg Bird being a feel good story, I do think that there was more to his incident than we the public knew. I think he was a lucky boy, maybe he realises this and has taken up his second chance. However it is good to see him playing well for the Titans. The real feel good story is Todd Carney I didn't think we would ever see that young man play NRL ever again. Full marks to Brian Smith at the start of the season to take him on, I for one thought he woudn't last. I had thought any minute now right through the season that he would capitulate and get back on the fire water but to his credit he hasn't, and I take my hat off to him. For the Titans Matt Rodgers deserves a victory he has been up and down off the field but has always contributed mightily on the field, Union or League, a gifted player and along with Scott Prince as the halves for the Titans they look the goods. Then you have Preston Campbell chimming in from the back. It all looks to be a dream combination but I still have this little niggle that I think the Roosters will win. Why you ask me, well I don't truly know. I can't put it into words its just a feeling I have. The forwards for the Roosters may be just that little better and Braithe Anasta for the Roosters at lock adds more than Harrison for the Titans. I think the Titans have an advantage at dummy half but if that evens out I'll go for the Roosters in a really tight game. This game will be worthy of a Grand Final more than I can say for the other one, Tigers V Dragons. I predict the Dragons will suck the life out of the Tigers in a low scoring game.
Mushi
Guest
Greg Bird a feel good story?