Dakink
17-05-06, 02:43 PM
One of the best speaks - will they listen?
Webcke wants 80-minute men
By Jim Morton
May 17, 2006
SHANE Webcke has warned Queensland's rookie forwards against being caught up in fevered calls for increased aggression to snap New South Wales's Origin stranglehold.
Aggression has been the buzzword for the new-look Maroons outfit, packed with seven debutants including five forwards, looking to notch the first series win for Queensland since 2001.
Former Queensland captain Trevor Gillmeister has led the way demanding more passion and intensity, asserting "we've been too nice in the last couple of years".
Webcke, who played the last of his 18 Tests and 21 games for Queensland in 2004, didn't take issue with the sentiment, but he was wary about a fire-and-brimstone approach.
The Brisbane prop, retired from representative football, said the Maroons rookies had to focus on a concerted 80-minute performance rather than a take-no-prisoners opening.
"Aggression takes a lot of different forms," he said.
"Aggression doesn't just mean that one forward pack goes out making big hits and bashing them.
"It can be a sustained effort over the whole 80-minute period, and that's a more important aggression.
"It's all very flashy to go out and knock blokes over in the first five minutes, but the game goes on for another 75 minutes.
"I've always thought that was fairly over-rated."
With NSW boasting a more experienced pack, Webcke felt the Blues again deserved favouritism.
But he felt the introduction of so many talented youngsters had the potential to repeat the efforts of Wayne Bennett's 2001 greenhorns, who won game one 34-16 before taking the series 2-1.
"It's a big ask for them and it will be a difficult task but, when it happened in 2001, when we brought those new, young, fresh players in, it can also be very much a positive, and you don't know where that's going to take you," he said.
"I think it's a bit of an X-factor in many ways."
Webcke said there was more riding on the 2006 series due to the Blues' recent dominance.
"I think it's important that we do pull one out of the bag shortly so it's a given that we do have the ability," he said.
"I have no doubt this side can do that but it is important in terms of the contest and the concept of Origin."
A faster-than-expected recovery from a rib problem has the injured Webcke hoping to play for the Broncos against the Bulldogs on Saturday week, although a further week off is more likely.
AAP
Webcke wants 80-minute men
By Jim Morton
May 17, 2006
SHANE Webcke has warned Queensland's rookie forwards against being caught up in fevered calls for increased aggression to snap New South Wales's Origin stranglehold.
Aggression has been the buzzword for the new-look Maroons outfit, packed with seven debutants including five forwards, looking to notch the first series win for Queensland since 2001.
Former Queensland captain Trevor Gillmeister has led the way demanding more passion and intensity, asserting "we've been too nice in the last couple of years".
Webcke, who played the last of his 18 Tests and 21 games for Queensland in 2004, didn't take issue with the sentiment, but he was wary about a fire-and-brimstone approach.
The Brisbane prop, retired from representative football, said the Maroons rookies had to focus on a concerted 80-minute performance rather than a take-no-prisoners opening.
"Aggression takes a lot of different forms," he said.
"Aggression doesn't just mean that one forward pack goes out making big hits and bashing them.
"It can be a sustained effort over the whole 80-minute period, and that's a more important aggression.
"It's all very flashy to go out and knock blokes over in the first five minutes, but the game goes on for another 75 minutes.
"I've always thought that was fairly over-rated."
With NSW boasting a more experienced pack, Webcke felt the Blues again deserved favouritism.
But he felt the introduction of so many talented youngsters had the potential to repeat the efforts of Wayne Bennett's 2001 greenhorns, who won game one 34-16 before taking the series 2-1.
"It's a big ask for them and it will be a difficult task but, when it happened in 2001, when we brought those new, young, fresh players in, it can also be very much a positive, and you don't know where that's going to take you," he said.
"I think it's a bit of an X-factor in many ways."
Webcke said there was more riding on the 2006 series due to the Blues' recent dominance.
"I think it's important that we do pull one out of the bag shortly so it's a given that we do have the ability," he said.
"I have no doubt this side can do that but it is important in terms of the contest and the concept of Origin."
A faster-than-expected recovery from a rib problem has the injured Webcke hoping to play for the Broncos against the Bulldogs on Saturday week, although a further week off is more likely.
AAP