Hoare’s hopes pay off
NORTH Queensland Cowboys prop Sam Hoare never lost faith that his NRL dream would become a reality.
Three years after joining the first grade squad off contract at year’s end, the 22- year- old had to bide his time to make a long desired Cowboys debut.
The Rockhampton Brothers junior was signed to a Cowboys scholarship at 15 before continuing with the club’s under- 20s program in 2009.
He played three seasons, missing the NYC grand final against the Warriors through a knee reconstruction, before training with the Cowboys first grade squad and playing three years with the Mackay Cutters.
Sitting in the unenviable position of prop behind names such as Matt Scott, James Tamou, Scott Bolton and Ashton Sims, Hoare said his spot as 18th man in recent weeks gave him an inkling his time might be close.
But he wasn’t prepared to take it for granted until Cowboys coach Paul Green told him last Wednesday morning he would be playing.
Hoare said his commitment to working hard and trying to impress at every opportunity meant he never doubted the chance would come.
“I guess it just shows that as long as you’re willing to work hard and leave no stone unturned then you should eventually get that opportunity,” he said.
One of three debutants against the Dragons along with Zac Santo and Ben Spina – all who were presented with their jerseys by world champion boxing trainer Johnny Lewis – the Central Queensland product said he was pumped up to take his long awaited chance.
Making it even sweeter, the Cowboys flew his parents Mick and Jo down from Rockhampton while his brother Jared, who lives in Florida, followed on an online live stream.
“It means a lot, obviously,” he said. “I’ve been around the club for a fair while now and the club does mean a lot to me so it was great to represent the club at the NRL level.
“I’ve been looking forward to this moment for a long time and to finally do it in Cowboys colours was awesome.”
His 27 minutes on the field resulted in seven carries for 60m with 12 tackles, but remained a blur until he watched the video back on Monday.
The 22- year- old will go back to Cutters duties this weekend as the Cowboys have a bye.