THORN: REDS GIANT IS NOT SO FRIENDLY
Snappy display has Alyssa in contention
DON’T judge Harry Hockings by his 206cm frame and “babyfaced” appearance.
Inside that is a niggling, competitive and surprisingly nimble talent his Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn describes as a “little man trapped in a big man’s body”.
Fully recovered from a broken hand, Hockings will start at lock tonight for the first time this Super Rugby season against the Sharks (3-1).
Wallabies flanker Lukhan Salakaia-Loto moves back to the bench as a result, while Angus Blyth is left out of the squad and Angus Scott-Young is back in the starting team after missing last week’s rout of the Sunwolves.
Thorn, eager to exploit the depth at lock in a bid to keep his players fresh this season, knows a greater test awaits against a Durban team which has become the “talk of the comp”.
But with players like 21-yearold Hockings itching for a crack he hopes they respond well.
“The call him ‘the Hock’, the Big Friendly Giant … he’s highly talented and (former Brisbane NRL teammate) Glenn Lazarus was one of them, they’re little men trapped in big men’s bodies,” Thorn said.
“They’re highly skilled; Hock loves playing golf, he’s got beautiful hands, but he’s trapped in this six-foot-nine body.
“He’s got that baby face but he’s a tough competitor, he loves to compete. He grew up in the
TWEED Heads surfer Alyssa Lock has progressed through to Round 4 of the Central Coast Pro World Surf League Qualifying Series event.
Lock’s powerful forehand carves and snaps proved to be her secret weapon in her Round 3 heat at Avoca Beach yesterday, going on to win with a decent 12.60 two-wave total.
Coming up against perennial QS standouts Samantha Sibley (9.60, USA), Ariane Ochoa (8.40, Basque Country) and Ellie Brooks (7.63, Gold Coast), Lock found a handful of playful lefthanders that allowed her to link together a chain of impressive boarding houses in Churchie and just playing sport every afternoon and not doing his homework.”
Hockings can push his Wallabies case with a good showing against the Sharks, particularly with long-term lock option Rocky Elsom – at 208cm the tallest to wear Wallaby gold – now based overseas.
But he is vying for minutes at club level in a pack that also includes Wallabies regular Izack Rodda.
Junior Wallabies captain Fraser McReight is on the bench behind captain Liam Wright, while backline talent Isaac Lucas is another itching for more game time.
“Everyone wants to play. I mainly got to start and I wasn’t a big fan of coming off the bench or missing games,” former All Black Thorn said.
“So I’m aware of that, I’m just working out the best way of working that.
“(Once) you get depth of quality, you actually get challenged to make harder and harder decisions every week – every week starts to become a (difficulty).” turns and post the aforementioned score.
“I got off to a slow start in that heat but thankfully I was able to find a handful of little lefts that had an open face on them as the heat went on,” Lock said.
“I reminded myself the whole heat to stay patient, back myself and not let the nerves get to me. The heats here are so stacked so I feel as every win is a pat on the back.”
Lock will take on Keala Tomoda-Bannert, Pauline Ado and Kirra Pinkerton in Round 4.
The Central Coast Pro runs until tomorrow.