How ‘old bloke’ stitched up Aaron Woods

IT WAS the simplest of moves to further embarrass Blues Origin star Aaron Woods. But, boy, was it effective.

Oops. Aaron Woods of the Blues misses his teammates as he attempts to join their celebration after Origin III.

AARON Woods knows he will probably never live down his comical post-try celebration fail in NSW’s State of Origin III victory.

Footage of Woods jumping past joyous Blues teammates and crashing into the ANZ Stadium turf after Michael Jennings’ late match-winner in game three last week went viral in the immediate aftermath of NSW’s victory.

Woods said people had not stopped talking to him about it since.

“I thought I got away with it on the field because none of the boys said anything but once I got back to the dressing sheds the phone was going nuts,” Woods said.

“I have not just been copping it here at the Tigers but from everybody.

“Every time I see someone in the street now, (that) I have never met before they always bring it up.

“I was out the other night and some old bloke came up to shake my hand and missed it on purpose.”

Woods said it was a situation he was becoming accustomed to.

“It is probably something people won’t let me live down for a long time,” he said.

“But it was just good to be part of a winning Origin moment.

“It was a funny moment, it was a weird moment too because a lot of things happened at once.

“We didn’t congratulate Jenko (Jennings) and Birdy (Jack Bird) was tripping over as well and Jimmy (Maloney) was getting in a scuffle.

“Next time we get a win I will just give out some handshakes.”

Woods’ Tigers teammate Kevin Naiqama said they had enjoyed plenty of fun at Woods’ expense.

“He has copped a lot,” Naiqama said.

“We have all had a a laugh about it. It was a massive fail but it is all fun and games.”

Not even close, Woodsy. Picture: Gregg Porteous

pic.twitter.com/INDrGxzBNJ

— Rugby League News (@RugbyLeagueNews) July 14, 2016

Another one of woodsy @aaronwoods11 lol pic.twitter.com/hco4n4uRRy

— Joseph Alafaci (@jalafaci) July 14, 2016

Woodsy's gotta catch 'em all!#Origin pic.twitter.com/Jccusiu70o

— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) July 13, 2016

TEDDY HAS ‘GROWN A LOT’

Meanwhile, Woods believes James Tedesco’s starring role in NSW’s Origin III triumph will propel his game to even greater heights.

Fullback Tedesco ran for over 200m in one of the more impressive Origin debuts last week.

After enjoying a week away from the NRL due to a bye, the Tigers’ NSW stars Tedesco, Woods and Robbie Farah returned to training at Concord Oval today.

Tedesco has already been one of the stars of the NRL season, averaging 138 running metres a game, scoring 11 ties in 13 matches and breaking more tackles than any other fullback.

And Woods says he will have gained even more confidence from his first-up effort with the Blues.

“He would have grown a lot from Origin,” Tigers captain Woods said.

“He probably went into game three not knowing if he was ready or not but the way he played he showed everybody. I thought he was enormous.

“To see Teddy get that chance in game three and to take it with both hands was fantastic. He is going to come back here with a lot of confidence.”

James Tedesco back at training with Wests Tigers. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Former NSW prop and Tigers interchange forward Tim Grant said Tedesco would have a better understanding of his own game after his Origin experience ahead of the Tigers’ round 20 clash with St George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

“I can’t wait to see Teddy back on the field,” Grant said.

“I think Origin gives you that extra kick and gives you that next step up. What he brings back to the team here will be priceless.

“Teddy is the sort of guy that is always humble and always composed but on the field among us he is a leader.

“To be surrounded with the best in the game and to really shine, he is going to bring so much back to us and better understand his role not just with us but in the NRL.”