By Jon Geddes

MANLY captain Hunter Ward has revealed Wallabies and Marlins’ legend George Smith inspired his team to their convincing 43-26 win over arch-rivals Warringah in the battle of the beaches on Saturday.

In a game where the Marlins’ excitement machine Yool Yool lit up Manly Oval with his scintillating speed and footwork, a key figure in the victory was the local product Smith, the champion backrower who played 111 Tests for the Wallabies.

“Cecil (Manly’s stalwart hooker James Hilterbrand) got a lot of the old boys to send in videos about what it means to play in a derby,” Ward told Rugby News.

“They were in a group chat and everyone got to watch them. We got one from George Smith and (Wallabies and Brumbies lock) Cadeyrn Neville.

“So it just gave a lot of the newer boys who haven’t played (in a derby) an insight into what this means. It’s a lot more than a game for this club, it’s special.”

Those messages really resonated with the current Manly playing group who produced the goods in front of another bumper derby crowd.

“It was unreal, it gave a lot of players – even myself who has played in those derbies – just that extra motivation to get the job done today,” Ward said amidst the jubilant celebrations for the home side after the game.

“You are not only playing for yourself, you are playing for everyone who has played in the jersey in the past years.

 “It was epic, all week we wanted to put on a good show for our fans and supporters,” Ward said. “We lost it here last year and it was really disappointing to our supporter group.”

THE NEED FOR SPEED

THE words of encouragement from Smith and company certainly struck a chord with the Marlins 24-year-old winger Yool who scored two first half tries and set up a third for his halfback Ruan Duplooy displaying his blistering pace.

“It gave us something a little bit more to play for, which really revved us up,” Yool said.   

And when his motor accelerated, it really burnt rubber on the Manly Oval turf.

Yool showed he can be a genuine matchwinner for the team and it was no wonder he was mobbed by young Manly fans after the game.

“I just like being in a bit of space and (No.13) Angus Bell was just feeding me the whole time which is great for me, I can’t complain,” Yool said.

FINDING HIS FEET

HE is again starting to fulfill his potential after suffering a broken fibula, ligament damage, spiral fractures and syndesmosis to his right leg in a shocking training mishap with the Aussie Sevens in March 2021.         

“There is no swelling, there is no troubles stepping off it and landing which is helping the confidence a lot,” he said. “I’m just glad I’m finally getting there, it’s taken a while.”

Manly assistant coach Damien Cummins said the coaching staff has been waiting for Yool to explode.

He said Bell has the best left to right pass he has seen, giving Yool opportunities and putting him into space.

“And Yool just did his magic, it was fantastic,” Cummins said. “Today was just a great example of what he has got.”|

As Ward skipper said: “He is electric, you don’t want to get him one on one that close to the line.

“I think that was his best game of the season, it was like he had his spring back in his step.

“He’s a confident player and I think it is up from here.”

UP THE LADDER

THE win was very significant for Manly, who have moved into third spot ahead of this Saturday’s game against the Two Blues at Eric Tweedale Stadium.

And they really blew Warringah away with the speed of their game early, racing to a 24-0 lead after 28 minutes.

“All week we were saying it doesn’t matter where the Rats are on the table, you throw that out the window. We didn’t want to fall into that trap,” Ward said.

“We wanted to start well and also finish well because we have been having a bit of trouble against other  teams finishing off in the second half.”

Cummins was full of praise for the effort of Ward, who has made his debut with the Waratahs this season.

“He eats metres for fun after contact,” he said.