DIEHARD
11-02-08, 04:04 AM
The Jetstar Gold Coast Titans will be playing for a piece of silverware when they take to the field against the West?s Tigers at Skilled Park on March 1.
While there won't be any premiership points on offer the two NRL squads will be playing for pre season bragging rights and the inaugural Larry Corowa Shield.
Jetstar Gold Coast Titans managing director Michael Searle said in rugby league?s centenary celebration it was important to recognise the code?s living legends.
Searle said ?As a player Larry was one of the most dazzling attacking weapons. In retirement he has continued to dedicate himself to rugby league and importantly he puts time into young up and coming players and we feel Larry is thoroughly deserving of having this contest named after him..?
?Larry will forever be fondly remembered by Balmain fans but he is equally as popular north of the border with supporters at the Gold Coast Titans, the league?s newest club and we look forward to making this clash an annual challenge between the two clubs to celebrate Larry?s amazing achievements.?
The Larry Corowa Shield between the two clubs was the brainchild of West?s Tigers CEO Steve Noyce who had this to say about ?The Flash?, ?Larry will always be remembered for his electrifying speed and his ability to score a try. He had a wonderful career for Balmain Tigers where he scored 64 tries in 96 games. I can still recall, as I?m sure many rugby league fans will, the famous line by Rex Mossop in a match call when Larry made a break ? ?Shut the gates, the horse has bolted?.
?Larry is still very much a favoured son with Balmain and now Wests Tigers supporters. This shield is a great way of honouring what he achieved in the game for Balmain, NSW and Australia.??
Jetstar Gold Coast Titans second rower Anthony Laffranchi also hails from Murwillumbah and like Larry made his NRL debut with the West Tigers where he won a Premiership alongside Jetstar Gold Coast Titans Co-Captain Scott Prince in 2005. Laffranchi joined Michael Searle in welcoming the season?s first challenge.
Anthony said. ?Any game against the West?s Tigers is an exciting one as we play very similar styles of open rugby league, to test ourselves against a team containing the likes of Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah in front of a full house at Skilled Park will be sensational?
?I can remember growing up and playing junior footy and hearing about ?The Flash? and his achievements and how he had made it big from a little country town like Murwillumbah. Our careers have taken a similar path today, although he was a little quicker, however we share the same passion and that is to play Rugby League, for our State and represent our Country. To celebrate his career and play for the Larry Corowa Shield will be a huge honour for all involved.?
Balmain?s late legendary supporter Laurie Nichols issued this famous phrase when questioned about Larry. ?Larry Corowa makes ?em feel so much sorrier!?
Larry Corowa fact file
One of Australia?s most exciting indigenous rugby league players, Larry Corowa AKA ?The Black Flash? was born in Murwillumbah in 1957. With blinding speed Larry made his debut for Balmain in 1978 on the wing, the point scoring phenomenon crossing the try line 24 times in his first season with the tigers.
Corowa quickly became one of the competitions most popular players and his form didn't go unnoticed by state or national selectors, The black flash? going on to represent New South Wales and touring with the 1978 Kangaroos.
During was on this tour that a nineteen year old Corowa scored an amazing five tries against England, what?s even more amazing is that his representative record only boasts two Tests.
Retiring in 1983 Corowa dusted off the boots again in 1991 and made his comeback with the Gold Coast Seagulls. Larry is now a dedicated youth worker who spends many hours on the road, steering young players in the right direction.
The inaugural Larry Corowa trophy will be contested on March 1st at Skilled Park, the occasion also marking the first ever game at the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans brand new 160 million dollar stadium.
Source: http://www.titans.com.au
While there won't be any premiership points on offer the two NRL squads will be playing for pre season bragging rights and the inaugural Larry Corowa Shield.
Jetstar Gold Coast Titans managing director Michael Searle said in rugby league?s centenary celebration it was important to recognise the code?s living legends.
Searle said ?As a player Larry was one of the most dazzling attacking weapons. In retirement he has continued to dedicate himself to rugby league and importantly he puts time into young up and coming players and we feel Larry is thoroughly deserving of having this contest named after him..?
?Larry will forever be fondly remembered by Balmain fans but he is equally as popular north of the border with supporters at the Gold Coast Titans, the league?s newest club and we look forward to making this clash an annual challenge between the two clubs to celebrate Larry?s amazing achievements.?
The Larry Corowa Shield between the two clubs was the brainchild of West?s Tigers CEO Steve Noyce who had this to say about ?The Flash?, ?Larry will always be remembered for his electrifying speed and his ability to score a try. He had a wonderful career for Balmain Tigers where he scored 64 tries in 96 games. I can still recall, as I?m sure many rugby league fans will, the famous line by Rex Mossop in a match call when Larry made a break ? ?Shut the gates, the horse has bolted?.
?Larry is still very much a favoured son with Balmain and now Wests Tigers supporters. This shield is a great way of honouring what he achieved in the game for Balmain, NSW and Australia.??
Jetstar Gold Coast Titans second rower Anthony Laffranchi also hails from Murwillumbah and like Larry made his NRL debut with the West Tigers where he won a Premiership alongside Jetstar Gold Coast Titans Co-Captain Scott Prince in 2005. Laffranchi joined Michael Searle in welcoming the season?s first challenge.
Anthony said. ?Any game against the West?s Tigers is an exciting one as we play very similar styles of open rugby league, to test ourselves against a team containing the likes of Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah in front of a full house at Skilled Park will be sensational?
?I can remember growing up and playing junior footy and hearing about ?The Flash? and his achievements and how he had made it big from a little country town like Murwillumbah. Our careers have taken a similar path today, although he was a little quicker, however we share the same passion and that is to play Rugby League, for our State and represent our Country. To celebrate his career and play for the Larry Corowa Shield will be a huge honour for all involved.?
Balmain?s late legendary supporter Laurie Nichols issued this famous phrase when questioned about Larry. ?Larry Corowa makes ?em feel so much sorrier!?
Larry Corowa fact file
One of Australia?s most exciting indigenous rugby league players, Larry Corowa AKA ?The Black Flash? was born in Murwillumbah in 1957. With blinding speed Larry made his debut for Balmain in 1978 on the wing, the point scoring phenomenon crossing the try line 24 times in his first season with the tigers.
Corowa quickly became one of the competitions most popular players and his form didn't go unnoticed by state or national selectors, The black flash? going on to represent New South Wales and touring with the 1978 Kangaroos.
During was on this tour that a nineteen year old Corowa scored an amazing five tries against England, what?s even more amazing is that his representative record only boasts two Tests.
Retiring in 1983 Corowa dusted off the boots again in 1991 and made his comeback with the Gold Coast Seagulls. Larry is now a dedicated youth worker who spends many hours on the road, steering young players in the right direction.
The inaugural Larry Corowa trophy will be contested on March 1st at Skilled Park, the occasion also marking the first ever game at the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans brand new 160 million dollar stadium.
Source: http://www.titans.com.au