SMH
Versatile Tom Trbojevic hoping rep success follows him to Manly
CHRISTIAN NICOLUSSI OCTOBER 21, 2018
You cheekily ask Tom Trbojevic if the epic 26,214 crowd at Mt Smart Stadium reminded him of any given Friday night kick-off at Brookvale Oval, and the Manly star says: "It will next year. We'll just need a couple of wins."
Trbojevic, older brother Jake and halfback Day Cherry-Evans celebrated the Kangaroos' win over Tonga and the trio deserved extra credit because of the way they were able to block out the drama unfolding back home on the northern beaches.
Centre of the action: Tom Trbojevic streaks away from Tonga's Daniel Tupou on Saturday night.
Centre of the action: Tom Trbojevic streaks away from Tonga's Daniel Tupou on Saturday night.Credit:AAP
Des Hasler is expected to be officially appointed the new Sea Eagles coach this week and Trbojevic was excited by the return of the two-time premiership winner.
"I've never met him. He finished up in 2011 and I was only 15," said Trbojevic, who flew home from Auckland to Sydney on Sunday and then continued to Bali for a well-earned break.
"I'm not sure what's going on there. If he wants to come, he's a two-time premiership winner and has made a lot of grand finals. He knows what he's doing so we'll have to wait and see.
"With the stuff with 'Baz' [out-going head coach Trent Barrett] I hope it all gets sorted out and we can move on. We start training in a couple of weeks and you wanted it all sorted by then so we can move forward and have a more successful year because we weren't good enough this year.
"[DCE] said [Hasler] is really good. He only had the one year with him in 2011 but won a premiership. If he gets us one of them it will be nice.
"I used to watch Manly and he was a very successful coach at the club and the Bulldogs as well, so he knows what he's doing. If he's to come I'll look forward to working with him."
The Trbojevic brothers enjoyed an Origin series victory while Cherry-Evans was brilliant in his return for Queensland in their game-three win this year but they all remained disappointed by Manly's lousy ladder position.
"We love representing our country and grateful we got to do that but we didn't win enough footy games for Manly this year. Hopefully we can win a few more next year because when we're winning the fans will turn up," Trbojevic said.
The versatile back bagged a double playing right centre for the Kangaroos even though he is the Sea Eagles No.1 and was utilised on the wing for the Blues.
"You'll play anywhere in an Australian jersey," Trbojevic said.
"For me, defensively it's very different. At some stages I did get found out [against Tonga] but I enjoy playing there and in this jersey and I'm thankful Mal [Meninga] gave me the opportunity.
"I enjoy playing fullback. That's where I've always played but in these rep teams you do what the coach asks of you.
"I didn't need to do much for the [two tries]. It's always good to get over the tryline. I'm more grateful for the win."
