by Paul Cook –

At 33-years-old and with 198 grade games for Sydney University, and 76 caps for the NSW Waratahs behind him, you could perhaps forgive Tom Carter for approaching his final game of rugby in a fairly laid-back manner. With eight Premierships to his name already, defeat to Northern Suburbs this afternoon wouldn’t exactly blemish his copybook in retirement. But that’s not the way a winner rolls.

However, standing between him and a fairytale departure is a Norths side hungry for their first taste of the victors cherry in 41 years, and powered forward by one of the most exciting young centres in the country, recently named Shute Shield Rookie of the Year, Irae Simone. For a player making his first season return to union from a promising career in the NRL, the 21-year-old excitement machine has been nothing short of a revelation. The clash with Carter could be one for the ages.

Rugby News got the views of both players and their respective head coaches ahead of what looms as a battle royale between the old bull and the young buck.

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ON THE GAME:

Tom Carter:

“For me personally I am ready for the next chapter of my life and am very grateful for everything the game has given me. It has been an incredible season on so many fronts, the growth and development of so many players, the style of football that we have played and the re-establishment of an identity and SUFC 1st Grade standing for something. Whatever small role I may have played, it is the playing group and coaches that rightfully deserve all the accolades and recognition.

“I think in big games, big game players step up. Norths’ centres were outstanding last week and certainly outplayed a very good Souths centre pairing. Jim Stewart is a future Wallaby given the chance, and needs to show the world how good he is. Saturday will be his opportunity and we are very happy he plays for SUFC. His presence in games has been enormous for us this year and I think that my role is to try and help get him into the game as much as possible.

“Set-piece and breakdown will determine how well each team can play football and dictate the speed and tempo of the game. They have the best no.7 in the comp and a very strong set-piece so the challenge for us is very real. If we do not do the above well, winning the midfield will be a challenge. The team that turns up with the best mindset and delivers the best performance will get what they deserve come 5.00pm on Saturday. It will be a very deserving premiership for either side.”

Irae Simone:

“It’s been a good introduction back into rugby union, and I have really enjoyed playing at Norths with a great bunch of humans and to be coached and mentored by Simon Cron. He’s an absolute legend and I truly speak highly of him.

“That’s the thing about our team, we all believe in each other. Day-by-day, week-by-week we work hard towards our goals. We gain confidence in ourselves at training by doing the right things by each other – no cutting corners whatsoever! 41 years is a very long time, we can’t really predict the future or the result but we can control the controllables. Home ground is a huge bonus for us, it’s like it was meant to be. We just need to put everything in place.”

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ON EACH OTHER:

Tom Carter:

“Irae is a very, very good player with great footwork, power and size. He passes well off both hands and can kick too. It will be an enormous challenge and one that I know I will have to be at my very best, for one last time, to get parity. He has a very big future in the game but ultimately, he is very well supported by Creagh, van de Walt and Burey, so there are threats all across the park and the width in which they play poses a challenge.

“He ran over me in Round 8 so I have to be ready and make sure that I can do my job for the team and lead through my actions. I will be judged very firmly on my last game and there is pressure that comes with that but that is okay. I am sure 90% of the crowd will be hoping that Irae and Norths can see that my last game in the Blue and Gold is one I remember for all the wrong reasons, but that’s the great thing about the game of rugby union and the competition this year – so many upsets and intriguing battles.”

Irae Simone:

“I’m not going to lie, I don’t really pay attention to the build up or to the opposite team. I don’t know Tom Carter personally but he is a very good player and has a lot of experience. He is the type of person that’ll just try get into your head but that doesn’t phase me at all, all I have to worry about is just doing my job.

“It’ll be a very good experience to come up against one of the best midfielders in the comp but I’m willing to take the challenge. Emotional energy is what we have brought into our club. It’s what we feed off and it’s going to play a huge part this weekend. Nothing changes to how we play, my job is to just run hard and hold that ball!”

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THE COACHES VIEW:

Tim Davidson:

“Simone’s ability to run and defend, his ball skills and the way he can play at the line has just given Norths another element this year. It’s been impressive to watch. ‘Carts’ has stepped back a little bit this year. He still runs hard but he’s also worked on how to use his experience by playing in behind the line at times and using his centre partner Jim Stewart to crash the ball up occasionally. Whoever can contain who the best will go a long way towards influencing the outcome because with the speed at the ruck and the width that both teams play for, winning that gain line will be imperative to getting ascendancy. It’s a terrific match-up.”

Simon Cron:

“Irae will play his natural game. He’s a very good player and there’s a lot to contend with in the way he plays because he’s a ball player, he’s got great footwork and he’s very strong. Obviously, Carter is a proven player who goes well but the big thing for me is those combinations, his connection with his 10 and 13 is pretty important to how successful they can be. I know our connections are very strong.”