Turner throws support behind Idris - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Turner throws support behind Idris

By Ben Horne 14/03/2010 02:25:40 PM Comments (0)

New Canterbury winger Steve Turner has thrown his support behind centre Jamal Idris who appeared to bomb the potential match-winning try in the dying stages of Saturday's 20-16 NRL loss to Newcastle at ANZ Stadium.

Last year's Dally M Rookie of the Year might have made an error of judgement at a crucial moment against the Knights, but Turner likened Idris' potential to that of his former Melbourne Storm team-mate Israel Folau.

With just over a minute remaining on the clock, Idris managed to break into open-field down the right-hand side.

As he approached Newcastle fullback Shannon McDonnell, he had Turner looming in support on his inside, but instead of passing or continuing to run himself, Idris kicked ahead.

The ball was recovered by McDonnell on his own goal-line, and he managed to get back into the field of play and wrap the game up for the Knights.

Turner admitted his new right-side partner probably made the wrong decision, but said Idris will learn from the mistake and continue to develop into one of the game's best young talents.

"I think Jamal obviously thought the kick was the best option but it's something we'll probably look at, whether he could have passed it, maybe he could have taken the fullback on but that's football and we learn from those mistakes and we move onto next week," Turner said.

"Obviously Jamal thought that was the right thing at the time but it didn't come off this week, maybe it will come off next week.

"My eyes lit up and had the bounce of the ball gone my way we could have scored and might have won the game but that's football and there's always next week."

Bulldogs coach Kevin Moore also conceded there was a better option for Idris, but said that wasn't why the blue and white's failed to come up with the two points.

"It's something we maybe have a look at with Jamal, maybe there was a better option but as I say there were plenty of other things throughout the game that contributed to the reason why we were in that situation in the first place," said Moore.

Turner, who won two premierships with Melbourne, enjoyed a strong debut for the Bulldogs, scoring two tries.

The one-time NSW Origin player said he's excited about playing outside the physically imposing Idris, whose power and confidence reminds him of Broncos' star Israel Folau.

"I was fortunate enough to play outside Israel Folau for a couple of years and I think Jamal is very talented and I'm very thankful and fortunate to play outside him and hopefully we can form a combination throughout the year," Turner said.

"He is (like Folau) and obviously it has been well documented, he won the rookie of the year last year and he had a cracker of a year.

"He's got to back that up this year and I'm sure he'll be primed for a big one on Friday night against the Dragons.

"Obviously he's a very talented player and a big prospect and there's been a lot of wraps on Jamal. It's really exciting to play outside him and hopefully I can help him throughout the year and develop into a better player."

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