BEING jammed in between two several hundred kilo forward packs, dozens of times a game, is not most people’s ideal Saturday afternoon.
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But for Orange Emus’ breakaway-come-hooker Keith Howarth, he’s happy to do it for the sake of the team.
Having spent several seasons moving between first and second grade, Howarth said he was hoping the move would allow him an extended stay in the top grade.
“I’m enjoying it, it’s funny because even when I played at Manly they spoke about putting me in at hooker,” Howarth said.
“With so many good backrowers in the club, it gives me a good chance to hopefully stay in ones.”
Howarth has no delusions of grandeur however, admitting he has struggled with certain aspects of his new position.
“Scurmmaging has been different, I’ve got a much better appreciation for what front-rowers do,” Howarth laughed.
“Bulldogs had a big pack and pushed us around a bit, but I felt good against CSU two weeks ago. I can feel myself improving each week, which hopefully continues. I’m learning as I go along but I’ve really enjoyed it so far.”
Emus demolished the students 51-12, and host 2013 Blowes Clothing Cup runners-up Parkes at Endeavour Oval tomorrow.
“The set piece will be important against Parkes, we need to win our own ball,” he said.
“Scrums and line-outs should play a huge role this week so hopefully I can help us in that regard.”
Logan said Howarth has developed quickly, and despite having no front-row experience he demanded a place in the top grade after a blockbuster pre-season.
“It’s been said for a while that Keith just looks like a hooker,” Logan said.
“He plays like a hooker, and his line-out throwing is excellent. It was pretty much just scrummaging he needed to work on. We went very close at home against Parkes last year, and I think we’re a better side this year.”
The Emus mentor knows Howarth is a key member of the pack, regardless of which position he plays.
“The main reason Keith is so important to us is his long history with Emus,” Logan explained.
“Every club needs one-club players and he has played more first grade games than anyone currently playing at the club. Not only that, but his work is always top quality, he is rarely injured, he never misses training and he invariably plays a full 80 minutes of quality rugby on Saturday.
“He could have had a rest after a tough year last year and just played down the grades, but he refocused, worked hard in the off season and came back this year better than ever. He’s a great reminder to our younger players of what it takes to be a regular first grader in this competition.”
Emus kick-off against Parkes at 3.15pm, at Endeavour Oval on Saturday.
ORANGE EMUS: 1 Brenton Braithwaite, 2 Keith Howarth, 3 Nase Havealeta, 4 Tommy Finau, 5 Nick Hughes-Clapp, 6 Alo Finau, 7 Shane Udy, 8 Sam Chamberlain 9 TJ Cunynghame, 10 Adam Perri, 11 Carter Hirini, 12 Rob Thorburn, 13 Nigel Staniforth (c), 14 Tom Green, 15 Lachlan Harris.