View photosKEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - Two players whose careers were in tatters left Telstra Stadium with a National Rugby League (NRL) premiership ring and the promise of a Kiwis test jersey last night.
Jeff Lima and Jeremy Smith exploded off the Melbourne Storm bench to live their dreams as the year-long premiership favourites dispatched Manly 34-8 in the 2007 grand final.
Then as the beer flowed and the music blared, the pair were shoulder-tapped by Storm officials to confirm their debut call-ups to coach Gary Kemble's Kiwis squad for the October 14 test against the Kangaroos in Wellington.
Storm assistant coach and Kiwis legend Stephen Kearney hailed the pair's contribution alongside the star quartet of Greg Inglis, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk.
"I thought they were some of our best players out there. I know Greg Inglis won the Churchill Medal (for man of the match) but Jeff could have easily won it off the bench," Kearney said.
"Jeff was wonderful out there, and Jeremy Smith, as he was last week, was outstanding.
"They won't look out of place in a Kiwi jumper. They are two real success stories for our club."
Lima, 25, recalled in recent days how he'd been spared a short jail term in 2004 after an alcohol-fuelled fight which saw two people hospitalised. A judge instead handed down a suspended sentence with good behaviour bond, and Lima took heed.
He had a short stint with French club St Gaudens then returned to sign up with Melbourne last year. He kicked the junk food, lost the kilos and played 25 NRL matches this year.
Last night the 107kg ball of muscle charged at the Manly defence time after time, like he'd been shot out of a cannon. There was more than a hint of his famous uncle, Samoa's five-time rugby World Cup rep Brian Lima.
"I was just excited. It was a good atmosphere, a great crowd and I just had to soak it in, make the most of it while I was out there," he said.
"I still can't believe myself. I don't know what to say."
Christchurch-born Smith, 27, was going nowhere fast after a one-year stint at Manly with the Northern Eagles in 2002.
He returned to Tweed Heads on the Gold Coast before being picked up from the Storm's feeder club Brisbane Norths in 2004.
Under Kearney's guidance he stepped up last year, was part of the agonising grand final loss to Brisbane and was determined to go one better this year.
"Just get on the wave and ride it all the way in until it finishes up. Who knows where I go from here but there's a few beers to be consumed first," Smith said.
"Growing up you always want to play for the Kiwis, and have a chance to beat the Aussies that'd be an amazing thing."
The Storm only led 10-4 at halftime but Manly were lucky to be that close.
Led by a double from Inglis who was a huge presence at five-eighth, the Storm drew away early in the second half to put it beyond doubt for the crowd of 81,392.
Stung by last year's loss, the Craig Bellamy-coached Storm believed they were much better prepared this time around. This time it was Manly, playing their first grand final in a decade, who looked flat.
"Last year's experience, we learned from that and the players were a bit more relaxed. Manly will certainly be better for the experience," Bellamy said.
- NZPA
