Alice pair star in Aussie side

Max Bennett

24Jun08

CENTRALIANS Jethro Campbell and Andrew Herbert starred in the Australian Affiliated States tour of the Pacific, earning high praise from coach Andrew Corn.

Corn said the duo led by example on and off the field, with their skills and work rate a feature in the two-game series.

He said: ``They were brilliant. The preparation and commitment on and off the field was great by both the players.

Corn pin-pointed Herbert for special praise.

He said: ``Herbert was in the top two or three players for the whole trip. He was enormous.

``Particularly in the second game when we were down a few players, he really stood up.''

The duo arrived back in Alice Springs yesterday after completing their representative duties playing games against Fiji and Tonga.

It has been a whirlwind three weeks for Campbell and Herbert, who were playing for Wests against United only two rounds ago.

Herbert said to finally realise the dream of representing your country was something he would never forget.

He said: ``It was a pretty awesome experience and it's a little weird being back in Alice Springs.

``Fiji had about six players from their World Cup side and Tonga used the match as a World Cup selection game.''

Even with quality of opposition, Herbert said he relished the challenge.

He said: ``It makes you lift your game to another level and makes you want to go that bit harder.''

The Dragons forward started both matches and played an instrumental role in the side's comeback against Fiji and tough game against Tonga.

Campbell starred in the opening game, crossing the second half, with coach Andrew Corn impressed with his talk and preparation.

The man himself said it was a surreal experience to be representing your country.

He said: ``It was awesome playing at that level for your country.

``It was really physical, the quality and speed of the game.

``The players from Fiji and Tonga were monsters.''

The side lost their opening game to Fiji 26-22 in a nail-biting finish before heading to Tonga for the second match.

It was here where the trip turned sour for the Aussies, with stomach cramps and gastro grounding six players.

This, along with the injuries suffered in the first game, saw the side struggle to a 32-12 defeat at the hands of Tonga.