Cordingley desperate for one last derby
Tue, 13 May 2008 09:34
Reds scrumhalf Sam Cordingley says he's desperate to play one final match for his team in the Super 14 derby clash with the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
Cordingley is heading to France to play for Grenoble later this year.
The 32-year-old squad skipper has been suffering from a calf muscle injury that has sidelined him for a large part of the season, but he is desperate to finish off his Reds career on a high.
But whether he takes his place on the bench against the Waratahs, who are playing for a semifinal berth and possibly a home semifinal, will depend on how the leg pulls up on Wednesday.
"It does mean a lot, having been involved in Queensland rugby for the better part of seven years," Cordingley told the Association of Australian Press (AAP).
"This will be my last game. Last time I left to go overseas [in 2002], being 26 years of age, the opportunity was always open to come back but this is it.
"There's no more games for Queensland after this.
"This is the biggest game the Reds can play, against the Waratahs, and I'm desperate to be a part of that," added the France-bound scrumhalf.
Cordingley rated himself a "better than 60 per cent chance" of playing the grudge match against the Waratahs, who are coming off a tough tour of South Africa.
The Reds could use his experience in a squad missing fullback Chris Latham [shoulder] and wing Digby Ioane [suspension] while flank Hugh McMeniman is rated at a 50-50 chance of coming back from a fractured ankle.
"If the calf pulls up alright on Wednesday, the likelihood is that I'll be involved and what a great way to go out," said Cordingley.
"Given how I ran today [Tuesday], I'm pretty positive I'll be involved on the weekend.
"I've worked pretty hard in the time I've had off.
"It's only been about five weeks now. I've had longer stints off than that.
"I'll be trying to tick every box. It's one of those fine lines.
"I get to play for the Reds again and if it means getting a little bit of time on the field then it's all worth it," he added.
The Reds, with just three wins from 12 games this season, will be looking to finish their season on a high, unlike last year's humiliating final round when they suffered a record 3-92 loss to the Bulls.
With retiring flank David Croft and Brumbies-bound hooker Stephen Moore also preparing for their last games in a Reds jersey, coach Phil Mooney admitted there was a concern the emotion of the game could distract his players from the game plan.
"That can be a danger but I think we're pretty well bonded and focused on this week," he said.
"I heard Crofty [Croft] say we're playing for the Bob Templeton Cup and he's a significant person in the history of this place.
"We want to win his trophy back and bring it to its rightful home back here.
"We're focused on New South Wales and nothing else." concluded Mooney.
