NSW Blues fly in Manly miracle worker to get Tom Trbojevic ready for starring Origin performance
While Blues supporters will be basking in the glory of their massive win over the Maroons, there’s an uncomfortable truth they’ll have no choice but to accept.
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This will prove painful to admit - but the entire state of NSW is forever indebted to the team everyone loves to hate.
In a rare and unique case of VIP treatment, NSW hat-trick hero Tom Trbojevic was given a red-carpet preparation in order to run riot against Queensland.
It can now be revealed — and celebrated among Blues fans — that Manly ‘magic man’ Ruben Ruzicka, the performance coach responsible for helping Trbojevic overcome his chronic hamstring injuries, flew into Townsville just hours before kick-off on the special request of the star they call ‘Turbo’.
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An athletic development and rehabilitation coach at the Sea Eagles, Ruzicka snuck into the Blues camp on Wednesday afternoon to physically prepare, limber and mentally charge Trbojevic with the steel and confidence ahead of one of his most lethal performances in a blues jersey.
Virtually powerless to contain the NSW strike weapon, Trbojevic scored a memorable hat-trick of tries on the back of a licence to roam by coach Brad Fittler in the 50-6 win.
In an interview halfway through the contest Fittler said the Blues plan was, “To let Tom, be Tom.’’
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And it delivered the ultimate reward.
Described as “frightening” by immortal Andrew Johns, Trbojevic posted his second State of Origin hat-trick by scoring his first try in the 20th minute — having spent the entire opening period shifting, roaming and chasing the footy across all parts of the field.
He then combined — in a throwback to the way centres played in the 1970s and ‘80s — with centre partner Latrell Mitchell to score under the posts.
Trbojevic’s eighth try in six Origin games, after combining with James Tedesco in the 68th minutes, triggered Maroons fans to leave their seats and head for the exit.
The inclusion of Ruzicka - an outsider of the camp up until yesterday - to the Blues was kept under wraps by the NSWRL.
But it can now be celebrated as a masterstroke.
The decision says everything about both Trbojevic’s trust in Ruzicka, but also how far NSW are willing to go for their players.
Particularly Trbojevic, whose career has been stymied by hamstring issues that prior to this season had limited his NRL appearances to just 19-games in the past two seasons.
NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden confirmed the reason why Trbojevic received the royal treatment.
“All of our clubs understand that the best interests of their players is always our highest priority, so whatever they need to ensure their players are properly looked after, we’re very happy to do.
“We have done it once or twice before, but not in recent years.
“When Laurie was the coach we had personal physios enter the camp to ready our players.
“But you’re right, it is a different situation because he’s obviously had some recent difficulties and so this is just the right thing to do.’’
Sea Eagles CEO Stephen Humphries said the club’s decision to allow Ruzicka to work inside the Blues was a no-brainer.
“It’s as much about anything for NSW as it is, anything for Tommy,’’ Humphries said.
“Tommy has done a lot of work with Ruben and so him being there in the preparation gives him a lot of confidence and there’s nothing we wouldn’t do to help the Blues.
“That trust has built up over several months of work together, one-on-one sessions and hours spent preparing him. and there’s nothing we wouldn’t do to help the Blues.”
Johns was blown away by the performance of Trbojevic.
“Tom has been everywhere,’’ Johns said.
“Where he can go in the game — if he stays injury free, is frightening.
“He has just been on another planet tonight.’’
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