Rugby League: Years late but call-up comes

By Peter Jessup

There is lots of irony in Brian Jellick's selection for the Kiwi squad for the rugby league tri- series with Australia and Great Britain.

Jellick is the latest in a long line of league players who had to go overseas in order to attract attention. Had things worked out as he had planned, he would have made the Auckland Warriors and gone on from there.

But after playing in junior grades with Te Atatu and three years in the Lion Red Cup with Waitakere, he joined mates Ben Lythe and Boycie Nelson from Mt Albert, who also perceived no opportunity at Ericsson Stadium under coach John Monie, and went to Widnes.

It was a move that did not work for any of the trio, Jellick never getting a game because a broken leg he had suffered playing in a Maori tournament just before he left for England stubbornly refused to heal.

All three came back to Auckland to play for Glenora and were part of the Fox Memorial-winning team in 1998.

Jellick would have stayed there but for the intervention of a talent scout for the North Queensland Cowboys, the man who was and is again development officer for the Warriors, Bob Hall.

Hall told Cowboys coach Tim Sheens that Jellick was worth a look and the rest is history - 18 games and nine tries in the NRL premiership leading to Kiwi selection.

The first of those tries came against the Warriors, when North Queensland thumped them in Auckland in what was Jellick's first start.

"I took my chances. I thought I played well against the Warriors and the year just got better and better, game after game," he said.

About to turn 26, Jellick could not believe he had done enough to be named in Frank Endacott's train-on Kiwi squad. But instead of taking the planned holiday with partner Jacqueline Tane, he came to Auckland to train with the Warrior members of the squad.

He enjoyed it, but flew back to Melbourne last week on his way to Townsville, where pre-season training starts tomorrow, not really believing he would get a Kiwi call-up.

"The girlfriend's a bit upset, but mate, I'm over the moon," he said. "I was overjoyed to get a mention in the train-on squad because I thought maybe I'd make the squad for the World Cup next year. This is just awesome."

Now he is concentrating on doing the job asked of him if he makes the starting 17 against the Kangaroos on October 15 or Great Britain on October 29.

"I'd love to hold on to a black jersey. I know it's going to be tough but my condition is OK and I'm looking forward to it."

Jellick flew back on Thursday and will rejoin the Warrior Kiwis for workouts every day this week.

Kiwi trainer Bob Lanigan is running the Sydney-based players, while the Melbourne trio of Matt Rua, Steve Kearney and Richard Swain continue to work at the Storm alongside Australian counterparts Rodney Howe, Robbie Ross and Brett Kimmorley, though Kearney was expected in Auckland at the weekend for Stacey Jones' wedding to longtime partner Rochelle.