Michael Hagan Media Conference - Roosters

parragirl · Michael Hagan Media Conference - Roosters

7 May 2007

Q) WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THAT MICHAEL?

A) I think the way we started the game, with a lot more energy and enthusiasm than we did last week, which I was hoping was going to be the case. We had a good week in training and the players responded from last weeks setback very well.

Q) THE WAY THE ROOSTERS PLAYED ON ANZAC DAY I SUPPOSE ALWAYS ENSURED YOU WOULD HAVE YOUR MINDS ON THE JOB?

A) We worked pretty hard on our preparation with all of that in mind. Their key players are very dangerous and our defence of them for most of the game was very strong, and it needed to be. Our kicking game, and our kick chase made it really hard for Minichiello who was very good against Saints on Anzac day.

Q) KRISNAN INU AGAIN STOOD UP?

A) He is going to be a great player for this Club in the future. He came in to do a job tonight like he did against Canberra a few weeks ago and he knows he has a few weeks with Timana not there. He is pretty silky with the football and his defence was good most of the time, but he still has some stuff to work on which we will do with him. He is an exciting player.

Q) IT HAS BEEN A ROLLER COASTER FOR HIM – PREMIER LEAGUE TO NRL, TO TEST FOOTBALL, BACK TO PREMIER LEAGUE AND NOW THE NRL AGAIN?

A) That is part of his development as a young player. He is going to get better playing with the better players, and surrounded by guys that can help him. It is exciting to have him in the team.

Q) TIM SMITH WAS VERY GOOD TONIGHT?

A) He ran the team well. He came up with some very good options for some of the tries that we scored – his kicking game was good. He still has some impatience at times which we are working with him on. He is only 22 and is still developing and he will get better.

Q) DID THE ROOSTERS GET BETTER IN THE SECOND HALF OR DID YOU GUYS SLACKEN OFF?

A) They certainly kept coming at us. They were still getting off the line well in defence and were trying to put us under pressure and force the issue. They would be reasonably with their second half I would think.

Q) ARE YOU A CHANCE TO GET SOME INJURED GUYS BACK NEXT WEEK?

A) We are a chance of getting Chad Robinson back and possibly Mark Riddell although that would be an outside chance. I’m really pleased with the fact that we have a number of young players who have been able to come into the NRL and do the job for us. The Club is very strong at the moment – our Jersey Flegg and Premier League both won well tonight and there are players we can call on. 8 weeks in it is important that we have that depth because it is only going to get harder from here with Origin and the toll that week to week footy takes on players.

Q) BEN SMITH SWAPPED TO THE LEFT AT ONE STAGE TONIGHT – WAS THAT A TACTICAL THING?

A) We just thought that defensively, we were mindful of the impact Anthony Tupou could have on our left side and we thought that Ben would be able to handle that a bit better so I moved him and Eric across. They are things we will look to do depending on who we play.

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