Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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No matter how much he tries, Kiwis back rower Alex Glenn can't forget the events of October 4th this year, around 9.50pm Australian time.
It was the moment when the Brisbane Broncos had the 2015 grand final snatched from their grasp, conceding a try after the hooter.
It's been more than a month - and Glenn has been in the thick of an intense Kiwis tour - but the hurt hasn't faded.
"We were so close - my heart just got ripped out," admitted Glenn. "Seconds were counting down and Cowboys pulled something out of nowhere."
Glenn was defending on the left edge in the final stages, as the Cowboys attacked down the middle.
"I remember watching Johnathan Thurston [on the last tackle] and he was doing circles and Adam Blair and Sam Thaiday were chasing him," said Glenn. "All I could think of was doing pushing up and trying to limit a pass. He got that ball to [Michael] Morgan, [who] got outside me, got outside [Anthony] Milford. I still wonder what I could have done."
Being in England - and being involved in the second test win - has helped, but not completely.
"We have been pretty occupied here so it does take my mind off it but it is always going to be there, it's always going to haunt me for the rest of my career," said Glenn. "Even if we get back to the Grand Final and win it one day, that loss will still haunt me. You play for those games from when you are a kid so to be so close to victory and have it snatched off away right at the last minute - it's something I'll never forget."
Still, Glenn's reward for a strong club season was a return to the national team, after an exile of almost two years.
It's a hard squad to get into - especially as a back rower - but Glenn offers a point of difference.
A former centre, he is more agile than most in the pack and has genuine pace. He's also able to play for long spells, and specializes in gaining quick play the balls, which he did several times last week at the Olympic Stadium.
He says the contrast between this current Kiwis side - and the first team he came into in 2011 is apparent.
"The bond has always been tight in every Kiwis team but the professionalism and wanting to push each other to their very best at training, that's one thing I've noticed here," said Glenn. "Players want to bring out the best in each other and it is showing on the field."
As well as an improved culture with the New Zealand set up, he believes it's also because of the ever-increasing professionalism of the NRL.
"Players are bringing good habits from their clubs," says Glenn. "One thing I've noticed on this trip, everyone's diet has been on the mark. People are taking care of these bodies a lot more than they used to and managing their bodies well."
Glenn is likely to be in the 17 again for this Saturday's (Sunday NZT) final test in Wigan, and is expecting a battle.
"From what we produced last weekend we need to go up another level," said Glenn. "It will be a huge, aggressive game - England have a lot to play for but so do we."
League: 'My heart got ripped out' - Sport - NZ Herald News
It was the moment when the Brisbane Broncos had the 2015 grand final snatched from their grasp, conceding a try after the hooter.
It's been more than a month - and Glenn has been in the thick of an intense Kiwis tour - but the hurt hasn't faded.
"We were so close - my heart just got ripped out," admitted Glenn. "Seconds were counting down and Cowboys pulled something out of nowhere."
Glenn was defending on the left edge in the final stages, as the Cowboys attacked down the middle.
"I remember watching Johnathan Thurston [on the last tackle] and he was doing circles and Adam Blair and Sam Thaiday were chasing him," said Glenn. "All I could think of was doing pushing up and trying to limit a pass. He got that ball to [Michael] Morgan, [who] got outside me, got outside [Anthony] Milford. I still wonder what I could have done."
Being in England - and being involved in the second test win - has helped, but not completely.
"We have been pretty occupied here so it does take my mind off it but it is always going to be there, it's always going to haunt me for the rest of my career," said Glenn. "Even if we get back to the Grand Final and win it one day, that loss will still haunt me. You play for those games from when you are a kid so to be so close to victory and have it snatched off away right at the last minute - it's something I'll never forget."
Still, Glenn's reward for a strong club season was a return to the national team, after an exile of almost two years.
It's a hard squad to get into - especially as a back rower - but Glenn offers a point of difference.
A former centre, he is more agile than most in the pack and has genuine pace. He's also able to play for long spells, and specializes in gaining quick play the balls, which he did several times last week at the Olympic Stadium.
He says the contrast between this current Kiwis side - and the first team he came into in 2011 is apparent.
"The bond has always been tight in every Kiwis team but the professionalism and wanting to push each other to their very best at training, that's one thing I've noticed here," said Glenn. "Players want to bring out the best in each other and it is showing on the field."
As well as an improved culture with the New Zealand set up, he believes it's also because of the ever-increasing professionalism of the NRL.
"Players are bringing good habits from their clubs," says Glenn. "One thing I've noticed on this trip, everyone's diet has been on the mark. People are taking care of these bodies a lot more than they used to and managing their bodies well."
Glenn is likely to be in the 17 again for this Saturday's (Sunday NZT) final test in Wigan, and is expecting a battle.
"From what we produced last weekend we need to go up another level," said Glenn. "It will be a huge, aggressive game - England have a lot to play for but so do we."
League: 'My heart got ripped out' - Sport - NZ Herald News
