from the bench to try-scorer (the star, march 12, 2014)
TRANSCRIPT
By Andrew VoermanTHE MAN who might have kick-started the Crusader’s season says the experience was like “a dream come true.”
Centre Kieron Fonotia’s 68th-minute try against the Stormers took the Crusaders within striking distance of their first win of the season, which Tom Taylor duly delivered with a 74th-minute pen-alty.
The try was the product of some good forward planning.
During the week the team had pinpointed the Stormers’ first five-eighth, Demetri Catrakilis, as a weak tackler, and when the ball came to Fonotia out near the right wing, it was Catrakilis who was marking him.
“I looked up and saw I was against him and I was always go-ing to have a crack,” said Fonotia.
That “crack” turned out to be fortuitous, putting the Crusaders back into a game that had been slipping away from them.
He said scoring the try “felt sur-real.”
“One minute you’re running with the ball and next thing you know you’re celebrating with all your teammates”.
Saturday was Fonotia’s first time in the match-day squad, and he said the longer he sat on the bench, the more he thought he wasn’t go-
ing to get on the field.When he did get on, realising a
dream he’d had “from when he was a little kid,” the aim was to make an impact, which he certainly did.
Fonotia’s father, Tony, who died suddenly in 2010, was a well-known New Brighton stalwart. Fonotia says his father was in his thoughts during the week leading
up to the game.The Crusader’s backline has
been notable for its lack of threat in the opening rounds, and while there could be a chance for Fono-tia to force his way into the start-ing 15, he says he is just taking things one step at a time.
“If you’d told me three weeks ago I’d even be in the [squad], I’d
have thought you were crazy”, he said. “I’m just happy to be in the team.”
The Crusaders next game is against the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday night, and with injuries to hooker Corey Flynn (fractured eye socket) and halfback Willi Heinz (calf) changes are expected when the team is named today.
From the bench to try-scorer
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