Blair proving to be huge loss for Pride

NORTHERN Pride coach Ty Williams admits his side is missing the experience and leadership of former NRL star Maurice “Bobby” Blair as the club tries to end its record losing run.

An innocuous injury during the captain’s run before the Pride’s Round 9 clash with Mackay Cutters turned into a lengthy lay-off for the wily backrower.

Blair has missed the past two rounds with a torn calf and isn’t expected back on the field for at least another 4-6 weeks.

“Just running along, he thought he’d been clipped by one of the boys,” Williams said.

“But he stopped and then he just couldn’t walk again.

“We put him on crutches to start the process of recovery straight away, which has probably been beneficial.

“He got off them late last week, so this week he’ll start rolling into more movement for his leg.”

Williams said the 35-yearold had been sorely missed on the paddock in the Pride’s recent heavy losses to Mackay and the Bears.

“Especially on that left edge,” he said. “His communication isn’t very loud, but when he gets out on the field that’s when he steps up as a presence among the boys.”

A veteran of more than 200 NRL and Super League games, Blair’s recruitment in the offseason was a massive coup for the Pride, after the club farewelled more than 250 games of Queensland Cup experience at the end of 2018.

According to Williams, Blair had been doing everything that was expected and required of him as a senior player, despite his absence on the field.

“In the video sessions, he’s expressing where the boys need to be better,” Williams said.

“His input’s always valuable with us.”

Blair made his NRL debut for the Penrith Panthers in 2007, playing 48 NRL games in four seasons, before stints at Melbourne (36 games, 2011-13), and Gold Coast (15 games, 2014). In February 2015, he made his Super League debut with Hull Kingston Rovers.

He spent four years in England, playing more than 100 games for the Robins, which included the esteemed Challenge Cup final in 2015.

A fan favourite, Blair was named Hull KR’s Player of the Year in 2016.