Rose relishing second chance - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Rose relishing second chance

Daniel Pace 08/02/2011 01:08:37 PM Comments (0)

Manly cult figure George Rose has been doing his best to charm Indigenous All Stars teammates and gun halves Johnathan Thurston and Scott Prince.

It would be a proud moment for the burly prop if he can somehow score a try against Wayne Bennett's NRL All Stars at Skilled Park on Saturday night.

"I'm trying to butter up JT (Thurston) and Princey to give me something," Rose told AAP. "I've been hanging out for this match all pre-season.

"I know what to expect a little bit more now. Last year I was nervous but this time I'm more excited."

Rose is like a big kid in an ice cream store as he trains alongside the game's stars and under the guidance of legends such as Cliff Lyons, Gorden Tallis and Wendell Sailor.

"You've got the younger fellas on the field who are outstanding and then Gorden telling us yarns about the old days," the 27-year-old said. "Of course Wendell is telling stories about himself.

"Just to be around the older fellas who have done everything and have a wealth of knowledge is fantastic."

No wonder Rose is counting his blessings.

It's fair to say he's lucky to be playing any contact sport after suffering a broken leg in 2007.

Horrific is the best word to describe footage of the career-threatening injury that required two lengthy operations and kept him out of the NRL for 18 months.

"I still have physical problems with it. I can't do as much running at training any more," Rose said. "There's plenty of metal in there. I'm like the $6 million man."

Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler used Rose as an impact weapon off the bench last year when eventual premiers St George Illawarra snuffed out Manly's title hopes in the first week of the finals.

"Injury and suspension towards the end of the year just killed us," Rose said.

"We lost a fair few troops and staggered into the finals against the Dragons, who were red-hot at the time."

So how many minutes would he like on Saturday night?

"Double digits will be good," he said with a laugh.

The fans on the Gold Coast could riot if he gets anything less.

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