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Foran ready to live up to price tag
Tue 21 May 2019, 06:01 PM
There was no player more relieved to get through another game than luckless Canterbury leader Kieran Foran with the pivot hopeful his darkest injury days are now behind him following a man-of-the-match performance against the Titans.
Having arrived at Belmore dubbed a million-dollar star signing under former coach Des Hasler, Bulldogs fans are beginning to see glimpses of the class Foran was originally brought to the club for in 2018.
You could forgive the 28-year-old if he was prepared to pull the pin after a syndesmosis injury in round three was originally expected to keep him out for three months.
The former Kiwi international defied the odds to return within six weeks and get his injury-plagued body back on track.
"There's nothing worse than being on the sidelines injured and not being out there able to put in with the lads," Foran said.
"It's been a tough couple of years, no doubt, both physically and mentally. My focus at the moment is trying to string performances together like that on a consistent basis for this side. That's what I want to do.
"Hopefully I can continue to do that. There's no doubt I just want to do my job for the team and whatever that is I want to make sure I'm getting it done every week.
Montoya picks it up at pace
Montoya picks it up at pace
"For me, it's really important I can play week-in week-out and string some really strong performances together... I want to do that for the club. That's what I'm focusing on.
"It's baby steps, the focus for us at the moment is getting back-to-back wins for the first time, but I'm trying to do my role in the side, and if I can do that on a consistent basis I'll be happy."
Foran remains open to an international recall with the Kiwis but was not necessarily eyeing off the Oceania Cup Test match against Mate Ma'a Tonga on June 22 as a game to stake his claims.
The Auckland-born product last represented New Zealand in the 2017 Anzac Test.
"I'm still [hopeful]. I definitely haven't ruled myself out of that," Foran said.
"It's been a couple of years since I last wore the [Kiwis] jersey because of the injuries. And form wise I haven't been playing anywhere near good enough.
"But it's something I always strive to play in. I love nothing more than representing NZ and it's something I'm passionate about. If I'm playing well enough and my form warrants it, I'm always open to it."
The Bulldogs trained at the NSW Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park on Tuesday in a change-up to previous preparation ahead of their clash against the Storm at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday.
The side will return to their spiritual home for training later in the week.
Tue 21 May 2019, 06:01 PM
There was no player more relieved to get through another game than luckless Canterbury leader Kieran Foran with the pivot hopeful his darkest injury days are now behind him following a man-of-the-match performance against the Titans.
Having arrived at Belmore dubbed a million-dollar star signing under former coach Des Hasler, Bulldogs fans are beginning to see glimpses of the class Foran was originally brought to the club for in 2018.
You could forgive the 28-year-old if he was prepared to pull the pin after a syndesmosis injury in round three was originally expected to keep him out for three months.
The former Kiwi international defied the odds to return within six weeks and get his injury-plagued body back on track.
"There's nothing worse than being on the sidelines injured and not being out there able to put in with the lads," Foran said.
"It's been a tough couple of years, no doubt, both physically and mentally. My focus at the moment is trying to string performances together like that on a consistent basis for this side. That's what I want to do.
"Hopefully I can continue to do that. There's no doubt I just want to do my job for the team and whatever that is I want to make sure I'm getting it done every week.
Montoya picks it up at pace
Montoya picks it up at pace
"For me, it's really important I can play week-in week-out and string some really strong performances together... I want to do that for the club. That's what I'm focusing on.
"It's baby steps, the focus for us at the moment is getting back-to-back wins for the first time, but I'm trying to do my role in the side, and if I can do that on a consistent basis I'll be happy."
Foran remains open to an international recall with the Kiwis but was not necessarily eyeing off the Oceania Cup Test match against Mate Ma'a Tonga on June 22 as a game to stake his claims.
The Auckland-born product last represented New Zealand in the 2017 Anzac Test.
"I'm still [hopeful]. I definitely haven't ruled myself out of that," Foran said.
"It's been a couple of years since I last wore the [Kiwis] jersey because of the injuries. And form wise I haven't been playing anywhere near good enough.
"But it's something I always strive to play in. I love nothing more than representing NZ and it's something I'm passionate about. If I'm playing well enough and my form warrants it, I'm always open to it."
The Bulldogs trained at the NSW Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park on Tuesday in a change-up to previous preparation ahead of their clash against the Storm at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday.
The side will return to their spiritual home for training later in the week.
