By ajack
February 28 2005

Many years ago I used to play second row and always had the fact that I was not tall enough against me (along with many other faults) but always tried to compensate through effort and for this reason I always admire players that give their all, probably above those with greater natural talent. Over the years I have seen some great players. Buck was able to change games his ability to read the game was world class as were his technical skills and of course his leadership skills, but did he give it all every game?

Tim Rodber for me was one player who had it all. He had size and strength, he had speed and ability and he had the rare talent of being a man that could actually change games almost single handed, IMO he had everything to go on to be bigger than Johnson but so many times my I remember him with his hands on his hips shaking his head, which is a great pity.

Pat Lam was a player who I have the greatest respect for. The fact that he always went that extra yard both on and off the pitch. Possibly not the ideal build for an 8 or 6 he more than made up for this with his skill and sheer determination. My lasting memory of Lammy was in the semi final against the Scarlets when they had us pinned in the corner, his shoulder was wrecked but he still had to be “sent off” a number of times as he organised everything ensuring we held out, whilst other big name players were not. I will always remember him as one of the greatest saints and still feel the way the club treated him was wrong.

There are of course many others and everyone will have someone they remember with great affection for their own reasons.

A couple of seasons ago we signed a lock for cover when one of our “big names” was injured, I believe at the time he was digging ditches, this was not some big name signing who had captained his country or indeed many people would even have heard of. When we first saw Lordy I think most of us thought we was to small, but okay he will fill a gap until we get someone better.

From day one he gave his all but looked underpowered and had a style all of his own, I really wish Bill McClaren was still commentating because I would love to know how he would describe the running style of Air Wookie.

Matt has continued to develop physically and has been our best line out jumper over a period of time, but many on here were still happy to send him to the sidelines with the arrival of Leroy.

Once again yesterday he guy was outstanding and in this troubled season he has been one of the few real stand out players week in week out, watch how many times he is the support player, how many times he I the man putting in the last ditch tackle even if it does not save a try and how many times it is him that puts in the covering tackle when someone makes a half break.

Does anyone look like they have given there all more than Lordy after each game or have more hurt on their face when we have lost?

He may not be the greatest talent or the most physically imposing player but does anyone give more for the Saints cause than Air Wookie?