Cronulla veteran Josh Morris on how Des Hasler will inspire depleted Manly
Des Hasler has one of the most complex minds in rugby league. But Josh Morris spent a lot of time playing under Hasler at the Bulldogs so he knows what the master coach is planning this week.
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Josh Morris knows exactly what Des Hasler will be doing with his Manly team.
The coach famous for his love of being “under the radar” will be thriving on the Sea Eagles’ unmanned side.
Morris spent six years playing under Hasler at Canterbury, where he played in two grand finals.
“He likes to go back to historical dates,” Morris said. “He prepares well and gives those inspirational speeches throughout the week. Sometimes the boys felt like playing on captain’s run after the final speech. He will have them ready to go.
“He is going to be backs against the wall. They have injuries, down on troops. He will have them prepared thoroughly throughout the week to squeeze every ounce of talent that they’ve got in their 21. He will want to ambush us. They will be ready to go. No doubt.
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“He thrives on the backs to wall stuff. He will have them prepared. Throughout this week they would’ve been doing a fair bit of work on us. He won’t worry about who he has in the squad. He knows he can get the best out of them.”
While the Sea Eagles have been forced to call upon a host of virtual unknowns for their elimination finals game against the Sharks on Saturday there is one player Morris is very familiar with.
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Tony Williams has been plucked from virtual obscurity and is in line to play his first game of the season under Hasler — who has no doubt been able to get Williams to perform to his best.
“He certainly has got the best out of T-Rex over the years,” Morris said of Williams. “With him giving T-Rex a shot, he will be looking to repay his faith. When he is in a damaging mood he is pretty hard to stop. If he winds up he normally skittles a couple of people. He has a late off-load as well. We are expecting him to play and have a big one.”
Morris hosed down speculation he was just one loss away from ending his one year stint at the Sharks. The veteran centre had been linked to move away from the club — even returning to St George Illawarra — as the Sharks dealt with a tight salary cap made even more complicated by their desire to sign Jesse Ramien.
“I’ve spoken to my manger — they are just rumours,” Morris said. “I had my mates texting me asking if I’m going here or there. I haven’t heard anything from the club or my manager.
I’m happy here. I feel like I’m playing some of my best footy. I’m looking forward to playing finals this week. That’s what I came for.
“I called my manager. You want to find out if there is any truth to it. He nipped it in the bud pretty
“Sometimes (when there is smoke there is fire). But I’m not on as much as I used to be. Not much point moving me, I wouldn’t free up too much space.”
Originally published as Cronulla veteran Josh Morris on how Des Hasler will inspire depleted Manly
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