Maroon great sells the virtues of a Blues Ferrari [Archive]

DIEHARD

18-05-09, 02:33 AM

Maroon great sells the virtues of a Blues Ferrari

HARD-running Titans backrower Mark Minichiello has found an unlikely ally in his quest for a maiden Blues jumper, with Queensland great Gary Belcher declaring the 'Ferrari' is made for the State of Origin.

While he is not in the business of helping NSW, Belcher believes Minichiello has presented a strong case to selectors and deserves a ****roaches call up alongside Gold Coast teammates Anthony Laffranchi and Luke Bailey.

"I think he is a real quality player," said Belcher.

"I reckon he would be a handful to tackle, he is a big unit. He has really grown as a player the last couple of years.

"He didn't look out of place the other night in the City-Country and I have got no doubt he would be a good selection for NSW."

In the absence of Test forwards Bailey (injury) and Laffranchi (suspension), Minichiello was one of the Titans best during Friday's disappointing 32-18 loss to Brisbane.

Minichiello finished with 26 tackles, four tackle breaks and 11 hit-ups for 101m, the most of any Titans forward.

Named in the Blues preliminary 40-man squad last month, Minichiello will have another chance to impress this Sunday when the Titans take on a Sea Eagles pack that includes Test backrowers Glenn Stewart and Anthony Watmough at Skilled Park.

But it will not be easy for Minichiello to snare a spot, with the likes of Paul Gallen (Sharks), Ben Creagh (Dragons), Ryan Hoffman (Storm), Luke Lewis (Panthers), Luke O'Donnell (Cowboys), Alan Tongue (Raiders), Anthony Tupou (Sharks) and Trent Waterhouse (Panthers) also in the mix.

"NSW has got good back-rowers in Gallen, Laffranchi and Stewart but if Minichiello is not in the starting side, he would give them some great grunt off the bench," said Belcher.

"He is a hell of handful for the opposition and never an easy one-on-one tackle for anyone.

"He would be dangerous on the edges. It is an area most teams try to exploit, running at those smaller guys, so he would give them that out there."

Titans coach John Cartwright, who coached Minichiello to a two-try performance for City in the annual NSW selection trial last Friday in Orange, believes his Gold Coast backrower has finished his 'apprenticeship' and deserves a Blues jumper.

Source: http://www.goldcoast.com.au