As news filtered through the NSW ranks of Johnathan Thurston’s minor-injury scare at Maroons’ training on Sunday, VB Blues forward pairing Aaron Woods and Tyson Frizell insisted it wouldn’t change their motivations heading into Game Two.
“Any player that walks onto the field isn’t 100% fit, I don’t think there’s any game that any footballer has ever played where that’s the case,” Woods says.
“He’s had the run under his belt as well, so he’ll be very confident going into the game. He’s just another player that’s come into their squad. There’s 16 others we must worry about at the same time.
“He’s a very tough guy. I was fortunate enough to play with him in the Four Nations last year. He’s such a smart footballer, it’s something we’re really going to have to watch.”
Returning to the VB Blues fold on the back of his own injury concerns, Frizell was also quick to dismiss any suggestions that he – alike Thurston – would be a target for the opposition camp.
“Not at all, I wouldn’t be putting myself into that position if I didn’t think I’d be able to perform on the night,” Frizell says.
“I don’t know if they’ll be targeting me, I’m not really a ‘key’ player in the squad. It’s up to them if they think I’m a vulnerable person in this side.”
These press conferences were broadcast LIVE on the Official NSW VB Blues Facebook Page. Stay tuned for more throughout the week, in the lead up to Game Two.
