First impressions seem set to last for newcomer Green

FACEBOOK and Twitter are two things Blake Green has grown fond of since arriving in England with Hull KR.

It may seem surreal in the internet-driven modern world that an adventurous 24 year-old Australian would somehow previously be oblivious to the ubiquitous social networking sites.

Their reach is seemingly all-encompassing and inescapable but it had been untouched ground for the ex-Canterbury Bulldogs stand-off until he reached East Yorkshire.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Then some of the boys here – Scotty Murrell and Shaun Briscoe – got me in to it,” he told the Yorkshire Post.

“It’s been a bit of a novelty for me having not been on it at all before and – along with the great welcome I’ve received from everyone – it is one of the weird things I’ve enjoyed following the move.

“But, I must admit, I am hoping it will wear off soon.”

Green’s influence on the Hull KR team is sure to have a more lasting effect.

He, too, has certainly been novel to appreciative fans of the club being a half-back other than Michael Dobson who has been allowed to actually create play and thrive in the red and white.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Green’s beguiling performance against Leeds Rhinos last weekend was central to their 38-28 triumph, a rare win they hope to repeat when facing champions Wigan Warriors at Craven Park this evening.

In the injured Dobson’s absence, the elusive tactician flourished, linking with Murrell and Ben Galea regularly to compensate for their star’s loss and picking up only a second victory since the opening day.

When it comes to ‘faces’ many observers have been hitting those social network sites to ask why Green’s seemingly doesn’t fit for the forthcoming England v Exiles Origin International match.

While some overseas players, especially in such a pivotal position, take substantial time to settle into Super League, the former Parrammatta man has slotted effortlessly into Justin Morgan’s side.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Green scored four tries in his first three appearances and instantly looked like the solution to the long-term problem of finding Dobson an effective partner.

Such has been the standard of his performances, that many are surprised he was not deemed worthy of a spot in Brian McClennan’s original 34-man squad for that enticing June 10 representative contest.

“I wouldn’t say no to it,” said Green. “It’d be a great game to be a part of so I suppose there is a little disappointment but there are a lot of established reputations in there who have played at a lot higher level than me.”

Certainly, having made 40 intermittent appearances during his NRL initiation with Parramatta, Cronulla and, finally, Canterbury, Super League is seen as Green’s finishing school.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

One of those more established players he speaks of is Wigan’s Brett Finch, who also moved from Australia last winter but having won World Club Challenge and NRL titles with Melbourne Storm.

The New South Wales star, 29, is in McClennan’s plans but perhaps on reputation alone as he has only played three games so far due to a neck injury suffered in pre-season training.

Ever-present Green is savouring the opportunity to go up against a seasoned exponent of his trade and maybe prove he could do a job against England himself.

“I’ve played against Finchy and he is a quality player,” he says.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He’s got plenty of experience at Origin level and has been around for a while.

“It’s always difficult coming to a new club but it won’t be long before he fits in there and becomes a star performer.

“It’ll be a good challenge for me playing against someone of that experience while Paul Deacon brings a good long kicking game so he’ll help them territory-wise.

“It’s important for me and Scotty Murrell to match that and get us some field position.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

If the pair can do that, there is no doubt Green has the tools to open up Wigan who find themselves in the unusual position of having gone three games without a win, previously unheard of under Michael Maguire’s command.

His ability as a running stand-off proved a constant menace to Leeds last weekend as he continually pierced them with his breaks, twice leading to tries, but he also offered plenty of threat with his pinpoint passing putting Galea – switched from second-row to loose – through for the final score.

His Australian compatriot is key to Rovers’ chances of success tonight especially in the continued absence of their other dynamic second-row Clint Newton.

“Benny’s a quality player,” conceded Green, about the ex-Wests Tigers Grand Final winner.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I like having him in the middle with me as a link man so I can stand a bit wider and get him to shift me the ball instead of running it all on my own.

“We’re going to need another big performance from him; when Benny fires and goes well, it gives us all a lot of confidence.

“We’ve enough ability in the side to score plenty of points and did enough in recent games to win them.

“But it’s just difficult when you’re leaking five tries all the time. That’s what we must sort.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rovers had shipped more than 30 points in each of the previous three games before Leeds and it is imperative they tighten up against the champions.

“Wigan are one of the best sides and, losing like they did last week (47-28 at home to Catalan), is only going to give them more motivation to perform here,” he said.

“We’re up for a big challenge and need to be just as enthusiastic.

“As for me, I’m loving it here and Morgs has been great on the football side giving me a lot of confidence to play what I see.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I get to play in the halves every week which is what I came for; I didn’t want to be a utility player in the NRL coming off the bench all the time.

“Thankfully an opportunity has been given to me here. It’s important I keep taking it each week.”

Hull FC have completed the signing of former Wigan centre Martin Gleeson.

The 30-year-old has signed an 18-month contract with the Black and Whites, taking him to the end of the 2012 season, less than a fortnight after being released by the Super League champions.

Gleeson will not be registered in time to play in tomorrow’s match against Catalan Dragons in Perpignan but could make his debut in the Good Friday derby against Hull KR at the KC Stadium.