Tarzan to roar against Brumbies
He's nicknamed Tarzan, but Reds fill-in flanker Ben Coridas believes he only now has the body to withstand Super Rugby's high impact.
After four seasons with NSW without a Super Rugby appearance, Coridas will make his debut on Saturday night for Queensland aiming to fill the big boots of another unwanted Waratah in Beau Robinson.
Robinson's dislocated elbow has given an opportunity to the 23-year-old ball scavenger and Reds teammates are backing him to help maintain their breakdown dominance against the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium.
"His nickname is Tarzan," fellow back-rower Scott Higginbotham said. "He's an animal and a really physical player and that's what we need to replace Beau."
Halfback Will Genia added: "He only knows one way and that's pretty much going at 100 miles per hour".
But Coridas' body has struggled to cope with the rigours of his on-ball role as he's undergone four reconstructions - shoulder (twice), knee and ankle - in four years.
Despite the knocks, the 192cm, 107kg open-side breakaway hasn't shied away from the high-impact game which earned him 2008 Australian Under-20 selection.
"I haven't changed my game, that's how I play and injuries will come and go," Coridas told AAP. "My body is now at a point I can cope with the impact."
Seen as a stop-gap for a week until Liam Gill overcomes jet-lag after his recall on arrival in Italy for the world under-20 titles, Coridas is determined to make the most of his chance.
Coridas and Robinson were both stuck in the openside flanker queue behind Phil Waugh at the Waratahs and Robinson's success this year under former NSW coach Ewen McKenzie gives him heart.
"I think me and Beau Robinson play a similar game and I think Ewen must like the way we play at seven," said Coridas, who moved north to fill the void left by All Black Daniel Braid before Robinson made the trek up.
"I was glad he came up. We were friends in Sydney and were in the same boat at the Waratahs together," he said.
"I always thought he was a great player but didn't get much game time at the Tahs.
"It was a great experience being under such a good player (as Waugh) in the seven position but there wasn't much opportunity for me with my injuries and him being the player he is."
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