The NSW side took part in an opposed training session at the Blue Mountains Grammar School in Wentworth Falls on Thursday,one of three scheduled ahead of Wednesday’s must-win game against Queensland at the MCG.
Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler put forward theories as to why Blues coach Michael Maguire started a war of words with Queensland.
Their first opponents were a St Marys side from the third-tier Ron Massey Cup,comprised of a cast of amateur footballers who juggle training sessions and games in between their full-time jobs.
Kioa,for instance,knocked back two jobs scheduled for Thursday that required seven employees,with his Kioa Concrete firm in Hawkesbury,in order to oppose the man of the moment,Mitchell. St Marys three-quarter Christian Crichton would have marked up on his brother,Bulldogs and Blues star Stephen Crichton,but couldn’t get the day off work from Kennards Hire.
“I had to take the day off to face the Blues … it’s cost me a few bucks,but it was worth it,” Kioa said. “I marked up on Latrell and it was tough,he’s a tough player,the way he plays with mongrel.
“He was giving me some tips,showing me how he plays. To mark up on him was a good experience. He’s got the right-hand fend and I was trying to not get pushed off by that.”
Latrell Mitchell and Semisi Kioa after their scrimmage.Grant Trouville,NRL Photos
Having played lower grades for Blacktown,Mounties and Wests,Kioa is now part of a Saints side that leads the Ron Massey Cup table. NSW winger Zac Lomax said Kioa had given a good account of himself against the Rabbitohs superstar.
“I used to play a fair bit of footy with him. He played Harold Matts and SG Ball at Cronulla – he was actually a gun,” Lomax said. “I think he’s the same age as me,so we played a fair bit of footy together.”
St Marys coach Darren Baker said the training session had been a unique opportunity for his players.
“All of us had to take a day off work to come in and participate in the opposed session,” Baker said. “We’ve got schoolteachers,people who work in the mines,mechanical engineers.
Concreter Semisi Kioa was given the task of marking up on Latrell Mitchell.Grant Trouville,NRL Photos
“We’re one of the strongest teams in the Ron Massey Cup. We see ourselves as a pretty good football team,but obviously it’s a different level.”
The Blues,who will scrimmage Wentworthville on Saturday and Melbourne’s Jersey Flegg side on Monday,were grateful for the hit-out.
[Kioa] did alright,Latrell said in a passing comment that the fella he was marking up was a pretty strong guy,” said Blues forward Cameron Murray.
“It was exactly the kind of intensity that we needed so we’re very grateful the St Marys boys turned up,and they were sharp,we got some good practice today.
“We’re very grateful for the sacrifices today,and we got a lot out of it. I’m sure they did as well.
“If I was a young fella or somebody in that position,I would probably jump at the opportunity to play against some of the standard setters in the NRL as well.”
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9&
Watch State of Origin exclusively Live and Free on Channel 9&