Laffranchi worthy of spot in Test
Luke Turgeon
11Apr07
STRAIGHT shooting Titans co-captain Luke Bailey has thrown his weight behind workaholic teammate Anthony Laffranchi to step in and fill the Test void left by North Queensland backrower Luke O'Donnell.
Bailey branded the underrated Laffranchi as the Titans 'best player' so far this season and said he would be a worthy recipient of a green and gold jumper for the upcoming trans-Tasman Test at Suncorp Stadium on Friday week.
"He has been our best player, better than Princey (Scott Prince), myself and Preston (Campbell)," said Bailey, who is also in contention for a Test call-up.
"If they want a backrower who can play 80 minutes and never stops, I will tell you right now he is your No.1 man.
"For that full 80 minutes he is running hard up the middle and topping the tackle count. He is not on the edges.
"I can't think of anyone I have played with who is hungrier to play representative football and for his country."
O'Donnell will miss the Anzac Test after tearing his hamstring during the Cowboys' 25-24 win over Wests Tigers at the weekend.
Laffranchi's work rate for the Titans has been incredible.
He has made the second most number of tackles in the NRL, behind Canberra's Alan Tongue and is battling it out with the likes of Petero Civoniceva, Steve Price, Willie Mason and Justin Hodges for the most number of hit-ups.
Australian selector Des Morris said Laffranchi was on the radar to get a start against New Zealand.
"We haven't had our meeting as yet, but obviously there will be a few players who were not considered last year that will come into contention this year," said Morris.
A Murwillumbah product, Laffranchi played country Origin for NSW last year, but is yet to earn a sky blue jumper.
The leap from country to the Test side is a big one, but Titans coach and former Kangaroo backrower John Cartwright said Laffranchi could do it.
"He deserves consideration for sure," said Cartwright.