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30-06-08, 07:10 AM
Souths no longer Winging it
By Christian Nicolussi | June 30, 2008
CRAIG Wing didn't know where to look when Issac Luke lined up to take the first of four shots at goal in the second half against the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday night.
As it turned out Luke kept his cool and converted all four attempts, handing the Bunnies a remarkable come-from-behind 29-28 victory.
But Wing said the result could have gone either way after he watched his 21-year-old teammate in action just a day earlier at training.
"He was kicking them terrible, they weren't the best, that's for sure," Wing said.
"But he was outstanding in the end. When it came to the crunch he really stood up.
"I actually went up to him after the game and told him he had saved us."
While the Bunnies were able to rack up three straight wins on the back of another barnstorming finish, Wing said his side would need to burst out of the blocks next Monday against the Dogs.
And ensuring the clash has a little extra bite will be the fact the Bulldogs will today move into second favourtism for the wooden spoon with TAB Sportsbet.
Following their weekend loss to the Roosters, the Bulldogs are expected to firm into $3.50 behind the Cowboys ($1.70) and ahead of the in-form Bunnies ($5).
Wing, returning from injury for the first time since round one, said at Sydney Airport yesterday: "It was great we were able to come back, but it was also frustrating at the same time because of our poor discipline."
"We didn't control the ball as good as we should have, which placed us under pressure. We won't be able to do that against the Bulldogs who are a good side. They're facing adversity and will be tougher (than the Cowboys)."
Wing said he enjoyed playing five-eighth, which had "given me more time to think and space".
Luke played down his kicking heroics and said of goals: "It's easy when you've got the best teaching you."
Referring to coach Jason Taylor, who racked up more than 2100 points as a player, Luke said he had worked hard to fine-tune his spot kicks and felt more confident with his coach by his side.
Taylor said: "It was actually at the start of last year I spotted him kicking some goals at training and noticed he had a natural technique and it was something we could work on. I've given him some tips but he's put in the hard yards since.
"He actually wants to kick too many from the sideline in training. I've wanted him to concentrate more on the ones he's likely to kick more often in a game, and I've given him a hard time about that."
Taylor never gave up hope against the Cowboys, even when his side was behind 28-4 early in the second half.
He said his troops never surrendered against the Warriors and came from behind less than a week earlier against the Titans.
By Christian Nicolussi | June 30, 2008
CRAIG Wing didn't know where to look when Issac Luke lined up to take the first of four shots at goal in the second half against the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday night.
As it turned out Luke kept his cool and converted all four attempts, handing the Bunnies a remarkable come-from-behind 29-28 victory.
But Wing said the result could have gone either way after he watched his 21-year-old teammate in action just a day earlier at training.
"He was kicking them terrible, they weren't the best, that's for sure," Wing said.
"But he was outstanding in the end. When it came to the crunch he really stood up.
"I actually went up to him after the game and told him he had saved us."
While the Bunnies were able to rack up three straight wins on the back of another barnstorming finish, Wing said his side would need to burst out of the blocks next Monday against the Dogs.
And ensuring the clash has a little extra bite will be the fact the Bulldogs will today move into second favourtism for the wooden spoon with TAB Sportsbet.
Following their weekend loss to the Roosters, the Bulldogs are expected to firm into $3.50 behind the Cowboys ($1.70) and ahead of the in-form Bunnies ($5).
Wing, returning from injury for the first time since round one, said at Sydney Airport yesterday: "It was great we were able to come back, but it was also frustrating at the same time because of our poor discipline."
"We didn't control the ball as good as we should have, which placed us under pressure. We won't be able to do that against the Bulldogs who are a good side. They're facing adversity and will be tougher (than the Cowboys)."
Wing said he enjoyed playing five-eighth, which had "given me more time to think and space".
Luke played down his kicking heroics and said of goals: "It's easy when you've got the best teaching you."
Referring to coach Jason Taylor, who racked up more than 2100 points as a player, Luke said he had worked hard to fine-tune his spot kicks and felt more confident with his coach by his side.
Taylor said: "It was actually at the start of last year I spotted him kicking some goals at training and noticed he had a natural technique and it was something we could work on. I've given him some tips but he's put in the hard yards since.
"He actually wants to kick too many from the sideline in training. I've wanted him to concentrate more on the ones he's likely to kick more often in a game, and I've given him a hard time about that."
Taylor never gave up hope against the Cowboys, even when his side was behind 28-4 early in the second half.
He said his troops never surrendered against the Warriors and came from behind less than a week earlier against the Titans.