Sea Eagles fans swoop as NRL stars visit FNQ
EDMONTON youngster Ella Stevens is a cowgirl surrounded by circling sea eagles.
The 11-year-old is the sole North Queensland Cowboys supporter in her diehard Manly supporting family. But Ella was subdued while brother, Beau, and sister, Zoe, were awe-struck in front of Sea Eagle stars yesterday.
“Most of them have probably never been up here so it is good to meet some of the players,” Beau said.
The Australian Prime Minister’s XIII held a training run at Jones Park ahead of their clash against Papua New Guinea on Saturday.
The squad – headed by Origin stars Aaron Woods and Dane Gagai – went through their paces in front of a small crowd. Beau and Zoe said they were happy to see the Trbojevic brothers and Manly hooker Api Koroisau in the flesh.
But, young Ella was happy to talk about the Cowboys’ chances of bringing home a second NRL premiership.
She reckons playmaker Michael Morgan can steer the club home this week against the Sydney Roosters. “He does a lot and has filled into JT’s spot really well,” she said.
The Prime Minister’s XIII squad leaves Cairns for PNG this morning.
RUGBY LEAGUE STATE of Origin means nothing for Adrian Lam when it comes to the NRL preliminary finals.
The 47-year-old is an assistant to coach Mal Meninga with the Prime Minister’s XIII, which departs Cairns for Port Moresby today to play the Papua New Guinean national team.
While focused on preparing the star-studded squad for a solid hitout on Saturday, he’s keeping one eye on the battle to reach the big show.
But it appears the three games he played for Queensland alongside Paul Green have not swayed him away from cheering on his beloved Roosters, where he played his entire career, including two with Green.
“My two boys are in the junior programs there,” Lam said.
“(They’re) contracted to the club at the moment, so if I said the Cowboys I’d be shot.
“But I think the Cowboys have done a great job to get where they are at the moment.
“There’s no expectation on them from now on, there’s no pressure on them and they’re playing that way too.
“They’re playing with a lot of composure and the Roosters have had a great season, they deserve to be here at this time of year and I’m sure if they get their performance right, they’ll win.”
Lam has put everyone on notice for the PM’s XIII match if they want to press their claims for the World Cup.
“That’s the great thing about missing the semi-finals and being included in the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII,” he said. “It’s a great honour to pull on the green and gold jersey but it’s an even bigger honour to play well and to show the coach that they belong ... in a World Cup squad.”