Friday Interview - Glenn Morrison: Return of Morrison offers hope of play-off push from Wakefield

INTRIGUED on-lookers will be awaiting to see what sort of impact Charlie Leaeno can have when he makes his Wakefield Trinity debut tonight.

Towering at 6ft 3ins and weighing in at almost 19 stone, the little-known American Samoan prop has been recruited from the Australian lower leagues and should get his first taste of Super League at the home of champions Leeds Rhinos.

However, regardless of his performance, what might offer coach John Kear, team-mates and supporters alike most pleasure is the sight of Glenn Morrison back in Wakefield colours.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is a measure of the all-action back-row's standing that after just 11 games for the West Yorkshire club, Kear has likened his influence on their team to the effect esteemed long-serving Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield has on their rivals.

Morrison has been missing since April due to a broken thumb but his return at Headingley Carnegie – typically ahead of schedule for a man who has remarkable powers of recovery – is as timely as that of any new signing.

During his absence, Wakefield won just once in five games and were dumped out of the Challennge Cup by Harlequins but Kear envisages the veteran Australian having a growing influence in the coming weeks to improve his side just as Sinfield did to revive Leeds on his own return from injury.

The Rhinos are now on a run which has seen them lose just once in their last nine fixtures, Lee Smith's dramatic last-minute try against Wigan last Saturday stealing them a place in the Challenge Cup semi-finals and leaving them in confident mood on their return to Super League.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But former Bradford Bulls star Morrison, who proved a driving force in Wakefield's 28-18 win over Leeds in February, believes the visitors are capable of denting that and he is eager to make up for lost time.

"I've missed games and it's been tough as we haven't really had good results over that period either," he said. "Not being able to help out on the pitch has been pretty hard but I've been training tough.

"It's Leeds and then Wigan next week so it's not an easy way back. But coming from Bradford, we've always had that derby and I always love playing against Leeds. We always seemed to lift against them as most teams do and we're looking forward to this."

Wakefield picked up their first win in six attempts when they gained revenge for that cup loss at Harlequins two weeks ago, a victory that lifted them back into the top eight.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They head to their derby rivals this evening with Morrison insisting their mid-season dip can be overcome.

"It was a good win against London (Harlequins) and everything we'd been working on clicked," he said.

"We wanted to keep that one going but we've had a week off and are looking at that as a positive. We're rested up for this game and Leeds had a real tough fixture last weekend.

"Hopefully they're feeling the bumps and bruises of a full and tough 80-minute battle and we can go in there fresh and get the jump on them."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There is a sense if Morrison had have been available the last time the sides met, his experience and leadership qualities would have seen them secure a second victory over the champions this season.

But tiring Wakefield squandered a sizeable lead to agonisingly lose 34-30 in the final minute at Murrayfield last month.

"We've probably thrown a couple of games away this season and had a bad run," said Morrison.

"We know we could be up near the top four but it is still pretty tight.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We want to get at least one win against Leeds or Wigan and then three or four of our next six could set us up for the end of the year.

"We're a team on the rise. We know we've got those in us and we'll be right up there."

The former North Queensland Cowboys forward turned 34 last week but remains as energetic as any youngster and, more importantly, has seen none of his skills, strength or attributes wane.

Bradford reluctantly released him at the end of last season after three impressive years at Odsal.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A fearless competitor, Morrison had been dogged by injuries – one former team-mate remarked he had pain-killing injections for the pain-killing injections given some of the severity of the injuries he battled on with – and that eventually meant they did not renew his contract.

But Kear was ready to take a gamble on Morrison and, despite this recent setback, it has undoubtedly paid off.

On his return from the thumb injury, Morrison admitted: "It is probably a few weeks earlier than the specialist said.

"But it feels good, it's back to one piece now, the pins are out and I've done everything contact-wise in training so in my head it's fine."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Morrison has been combining his playing role with that of coaching Trinity's Under-18 side but, although now starting the crucial Level Three badge, he is not contemplating applying for any of the upcoming head coach roles at various Super League clubs, including former club Bradford.

"There are a few players who have asked if I'm putting my name forward for that but I think I really could go around playing one more year," he said.

"I'm having a chat at the moment (with Wakefield) and there's been a bit of interest from another couple of clubs after the way I was playing at the start of the year. I thought being injured might have held that off but it looks like I could be over here for another season and I am enjoying it."

That would allow Morrison to gain residency and have no concerns about gaining a work permit for potentially coaching in 2012.

More pressing matters, however, see him getting to grips with Leeds tonight.