Pint-sized hero rated as tough as ‘Tooves’
RUGBY LEAGUE: When it comes to rugby league’s toughest pound-for-pound player, it is hard to go past former Manly skipper Geoff Toovey.
Standing at 168cm and weighing in at 70kg, Toovey looked more like a track-work jockey than an NRL warrior.
Despite his obvious size disadvantage, the man nicknamed “Tooves” never let his diminutive frame dictate his success. The Sea Eagles, NSW and Australia hooker played 286 first-grade games, including a premiership in 1996, and was a member of the 1995 World Cup-winning side.
Fifteen years after Toovey’s retirement, South Sydney veteran John Sutton believes he has found another pint-sized hero to rival the legendary Sea Eagle.
“I think Adam Reynolds is just as tough as Tooves,” Sutton said.
“Adam’s shoulders aren’t 100 per cent but he plays through the pain – he is a real goer.
“He is only a little bloke and he rips in and gets through a lot of defence because people try and run at him.
“I thought he was enormous for us against the Dragons in defence and obviously in attack with those three field goals.
“He gets targeted but he always puts his body on the line and against the Dragons he was actually running people back with his tackling.
“We need another big one from him this week to make the grand final.”
Souths fittingly play arch rivals the Sydney Roosters in tonight’s preliminary final.
The foundation clubs’ grudge match will double as the last match at Allianz Stadium before the ground is renovated.
“It is like a home game for us when we play there, so I’m very excited to be playing there this week against the Roosters,” Sutton said.
“It is like a fans’ dream with us two going at it for a spot in the grand final.
“Hopefully it is a sell-out and all the Souths members and fans are out there.”