World Cup lure strong for SKD
same 17 for the whole series so it wouldn’t quite feel the same without him there. Things are looking positive at the moment.’’
Cordner would need to be 100 per cent certain his calf would pull through given the immense strain Origin now puts on the bodies of players, many of whom say they are now pushing themselves further than they ever thought possible on the field. The Sun-Herald SHAUN Kenny-Dowall is hoping his redemption story will include reclaiming his New Zealand jersey at this year’s Rugby League World Cup.
The New Zealand Rugby League has taken a hardline stance on player behaviour, banning Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor after they were embroiled in a cocaine scandal. ‘‘SKD’’ is hopeful NZRL powerbrokers won’t put a line through his name after he pleaded guilty to cocaine possession.
‘‘As a proud New Zealander, everyone marks the World Cup on the calendar,’’ Kenny-Dowall said.
‘‘My priority has to be getting back on the field and playing good football for the Knights.’’
It was refreshing to see KennyDowall take full responsibility for his actions after escaping without a conviction for cocaine possession, an incident that ruined his ambition of becoming a oneclub man at the Roosters. However, he harbours no ill will towards the tricolours for their decision to let him go.
‘‘The circumstances meant it wasn’t meant to be; there were things happening behind the scenes,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ve had so many good memories on the field with the club, to come up against them will be exciting.’’
The Newcastle recruit thanked speed coach Roger Fabri for keeping him fit while his career was in limbo. ‘‘Rog has been a good friend of mine for eight or nine years now,’’ he said. ‘‘Every time I train with him he gets the best out of me, he takes me to levels of fitness you can’t reach just when you train with an NRL squad.’’
He’s our captain. It’s not a role they give to people lightly.’
The Sun-Herald