NRL's redemption kids eye national spots - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

NRL's redemption kids eye national spots

By Ben Horne 16/09/2010 03:57:40 PM Comments (0)

Lifting the premiership trophy in a couple of weeks time would be the ultimate reward, but the Sydney Roosters could cap off their stunning NRL redemption story next month with up to ten players in line for Four Nations selection.

The Roosters had the season from hell in 2009, collecting the wooden spoon and involving themselves in myriad of off-field controversy.

As a result just Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Sam Perrett and the departing Iosia Soliola were selected for New Zealand, but things are looking much rosier heading into this year's international season.

The Roosters have a stack of players in line for both Kiwi and Australian recognition, testament to how far the club has come under coach Brian Smith.

Nuuausala and Perrett are again likely candidates for New Zealand, as are try-machine Shaun Kenny-Dowall and enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Rookies Mose Masoe and Joseph Leilua could also be bolters.

For Australia, Todd Carney looks set to complete his own personal turnaround with a Kangaroo jumper, and will be joined by Queensland regular Nate Myles.

Captain Braith Anasta is another player not without hope of earning a Test recall, while injury concerns surrounding Johnathan Thurston and Scott Prince could also bring halfback Mitchell Pearce into calculations.

The Roosters will rival the likes of St George Illawarra and Warriors for selection numbers and Roosters chief executive Steve Noyce said it would come as deserved recognition.

"It does in some respects and from all our points of view here we are pleased with where we're at but we are also realistic to understand that we still we haven't achieved everything we wanted to achieve as a club moving forward," said Noyce, who paid tribute to Smith and his coaching staff for getting the best out of the players.

"There is still a desire to make sure we do lift up again next year, we've laid a good foundation for the club from the disasters of 2009.

"You certainly hope that the club will have some representation, we have had a good year on and importantly off the field for ourselves and if that ends up representing some players getting picked in Four Nations then that would be a great way to finish that aspect of the year.

"Individual rewards are generally a by-product of tremendous team performance.

"There was certainly a resolve amongst the guys that were here in 2009 to turn around the disasters of that year ... driven by Brian's leadership it's certainly been a successful recipe to date and the staff think we can build on it in the years ahead."

Noyce said he's not taking seriously talk that clubs including North Queensland are keen on buying out the final year of Anasta's contract at the Roosters.

"I thought it was April fools day," he said.

"For us it's business as usual and the finals brings out the full moon ... it's just one of those silly things that happens from time to time that you hear, no one believes it or is interested in it."

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