Best of mates set for battle
THEY are State of Origin mates. Started representing NSW in the same year. Made their NRL debuts during the same season. Toured England in 2009 with Australia. Both are centres. Both score tries; plenty of them. Michael Jennings has played 191 NRL matches, Josh Morris 195.
Tonight, though, Sydney Roosters Jennings and Canterbury’s Josh Morris friendship ends. For 80 minutes at least.
The pair go into combat as their respective teams contest what will be an epic qualifying semi-final at Allianz Stadium.
Jennings will mark Canterbury’s Tim Lafai, Morris lines-up on Roosters’ champion Blake Ferguson. It will be just two individual match ups that will light up Allianz Stadium.
“We’re good mates,” Morris said. “I watch ‘Jenko’ closely, I love watching him play when I’m not playing against him.
“I’ve seen him cause some damage to the sides I have played in as well. In the past few years, he has been renowned for his attack but I think it has been his defence which has stood out.
Jennings added: “Josh and I are real good mates. I have learned a few things off him. We pick at each other’s games.
“We made our debut the same year and have had similar paths. When we toured for Australia, we were both back-up centres so we spent a lot of time together.
It was in England … that’s where and when we got to know each. We’ve also gone through Origin.”
Allianz will explode tonight. Scintillating backs, speed, power, massive forwards. This will be a true semi-final.
Morris will play his 150th first grade game for Canterbury. He sits on 99 tries, desperate to score one more for a rare century.
“It would be nice to get the hundred, it could be a great night for me,” Morris said.
“I was held up over the line last weekend and dropped the ball over the line the weekend before. I have been getting close so hopefully I can get over for the 100th ... 150 NRL games for the Bulldogs, that’s something I am very proud of.
Jennings, who has scored 113 NRL tries, is also ready for a blinder against the Bulldogs.
“Come finals time, they (Canterbury) really step it up,” he said.
“They were in the grand final last year.”