Nathan Green knew the answer before the question was even asked – who is this new Manly Warringah Sea Eagles back-rower?
Who is this 23-year-old man with the fair skin, bushy red beard, and who, when wearing his preferred blue sunscreen, could pass for ‘Braveheart’?
“People don’t know who Nathan Green the back-rower is. They only might know of Nathan Green the centre,’’ he said.
Nathan Green, the centre, played 22 first grade games in four seasons at St George-Illawarra from 2012. He started just once in the second-row last season but it was enough for new Manly coach Trent Barrett to give him a contract.
“Trent brought me over from the Dragons as a back-rower. He saw me play a bit of back-row last year and saw some of the things I can do,’’ Green added.
“I’ve come to the Sea Eagles as a back-rower, not as a centre. I’m here for a fresh start, and that’s in the back-row.
“I guess I can bring a lot of different things that some other back-rowers can’t do. Coming from the centres, I have got speed and a bit of ball playing in me as well, so hopefully I can strike up a good combination with Dylan Walker, Steve Matai, Jorge Taufua, and Brett Stewart.
“I need to run some good lines and create some space for Matai, Stewart and Taufua to score some tries out on the left. That’s what Trent has asked me to do.”
Barrett described Green as a ‘fine edge backrower who has put on a lot of size’.
“I don’t think Nathan had found his true position until he came here,’’ Barrett said.
“Nathan might be a bit of an unknown to many but he has been very good in the pre-season.
“The back row was an area we were a bit skinny in, so having Nathan adds to our options.
“I guess the beauty of having players in your squad who can play multiple positions is really important with the way the salary cap is.
“We are lucky we have players who can do that in Lewis Brown, Tom Symonds, Feleti Mateo and now ‘Greeny’.
Barrett has rewarded Green for his fine pre-season work by giving him a start in the NRL Auckland Nines next weekend. The Sea Eagles squad will be officially named on Monday.
“I can’t wait to pull on the Manly jersey and to start playing again. I hope I can do the club proud,’’ Green added.
Click here to buy tickets for Pre-season at the Park trial.
Sign up now and join here as a Sea Eagles Member for 2016
