The life and times of dual code great Craig Wing

Craig Wing was born to play Rugby League. He was only four years old when he began playing the sport that would make him famous. At seven years old Wing played Rugby Union, he stuck with both right up until the end of high school, where he knew he would have to make a life breaking decision to which sport he would take up professionally. “I played both of them up until the end of high school but when I became a professional I had to choose one, as it was hard to play both. I ended up choosing to play Rugby League”.

“It was funny how it all come about as I had a scholarship for Sydney University, and a contract with South Sydney Rabbitohs, but it all came down to my HSC results for weather I could get into university on my own or needed the scholarship to get in. Turned out I got to University off my own bat so I took the rugby league option which seemed like a lifetime away.” Craig had a passion for both sports, but during the time that he was picking up his career as a professional player, Rugby Union wasn’t a professional sport back in those days “Back then rugby Union was not professional either, so talked to a development officer of Waratahs and said I wouldn’t be expecting to play until I was 23/24.”

Craig had already being playing for the South Sydney Rabbitohs as a Junior, it would have being a unwise move if he had pursued a career in Rugby Union at that time, his decision was hugely based on what would get him the furthest in terms of development as a professional player and where would he be able to play professionally first “Where-as at that time, because I sort of already came through the juniors at Souths I was sort of training with the first grade squad at Souths and they were sort of saying well we’ll be looking at putting you in the top grade pretty soon.” A professional career awaited Craig. During this time as well, because Rugby Union was a much harder sport to break in to, there wasn’t much help offered to those young men who wanted to play. Clubs like the South City Rabbitohs at that time worked to help push the young players forward “There were guys of 15/16 on different scholarship programmes for different clubs, not big money or anything but it gave you a path you could follow and if you did the right thing you have a good chance of playing for the top grade.”

Craig joining the ranks amongst the team that he grew up watching and loving was a dream come true, although he did say “back in those days the Rabbitohs didn’t do too good, and you copped a bit of a cold shoulder at school about it, but it made you a much more staunch person at the end of the day”. Now he is proud to say that he was once a staunch Rabbitohs player.

At the end of the 1999 season Craig was forced to leave his beloved team after they were kicked out of the competition, “The competition was starting early the next year because of the Olympics. I didn’t consider another team or even think of a back up team. I made the decision to go to South City Sydney”. Still living at home, Craig was torn between two ideas, one; that he go to the Broncos or two; he change codes and begin a career in Rugby Union.  He chose to go to the Roosters, and signed with them to the team in 2000, “Everyday was like Christmas there…and I already grew up in South Sydney, pretty much their territory was where I went to school”.

With Craig being the new kid on the block at Sydney he didn’t associate with many of the other players on the team because he was in ore of some of the stars that played for the Roosters. Some of these players include Australian and New South Wales legend Brad Fittler, Luke Ricketson and Bryan Fletcher. Craig describes “I guess it is different now days as all the young kids have more confidence in the way they play and carry themselves, where as back then I was just a rookie coming through. It wasn’t until I was dropped into reserve grade, was playing okay, but not what they were expecting me to be. Didn’t know half the guys in the team. All I ever focused on in my life is football and everything else seemed to slip away”.

In 2000, Craig was picked on the bench to cover a position in the backs, however in one particular game during the season, Craig was on the bench and Roosters hooker Simon Boletti was injured during the game so Craig slotted into hooker / utility, a position that stuck with Craig for the rest of this career. Craig describes the second half of the year as being a turning point for him “Wasn’t till half way through the year until I started to get stronger, fitter, kept growing (putting on 3-4kg) which was a lot for my frame and I got back up into first grade as it made the Roosters look bad putting me in the lower grade. Got locked into the role of hooker, and every time I came on id get a few tries. Coach at the time was Graham Murray, and I ended up having a lot of success in that position. My success in that area really stopped my development in other areas and position, but gave me opportunity to play.” Craig played his first grand final that year and was part of the side that was defeated by the Brisbane Broncos 14-6. In a space of 5 years, he played in 4 grand finals and won 1 which he holds dear to his heart.

Speaking of series wins, Craig holds dear too his heart he was part of the New South Wales team that won three series back to back between 2003-2005 and describes Origin as being something “I’ve never experienced anything that can compare to Origin. The intensity, the hype, the excitement and whole dynamics. Highlight is playing for Australia, just the event of state of Origin, Second to none event, more intense than a grand finale. No weaknesses in the other team, everyone is at the best of their ability. Means so much to everyone on the team and New South Wales is very passionate.” However, Craig did suggest that if you are selected for Australia, Origin and play all the club games for your team it does put pressure and strain on your body. “If you are a top player, and play all the games for Australia it is very hard. Did it for 3 years straight playing every game and you do feel burnt out and gets to you. But also down to management, knows what each player is capable of. If you don’t have that luxury you can get worn out very quickly. In 2008 Craig left the roosters and went back to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

At the end of  the 2009 season Craig “felt like I needed a change” so he made a huge decision to leave Rugby League and go to Japanese Rugby. Craig says “Through my professional career I’ve had injuries and a few different surgeries, and it struck me that I only had a few years left to play. I have done and achieved way more than I thought I ever would, up to 250 games. Thought about my goals and wanted to play and experience something different, in different countries before I retired. Last year in league while playing reserve I realised this was going to be my last year and wanted to go. After being out for 2 years, managed to play for Origin. I confirmed in my mind I went out as a winner, top of the game, just like the people I idolize like Freddie and Joey. It was time for me; I didn’t think I was going to play for this long. But here I am still playing international rugby (in Japan)”.

Craig admits that after years of playing Rugby League it took him a while to get used to the rules. “Yeah there is a massive change between League and Union. Basic principals are very similar, but take things different, and rules are different. People ask me what game is better, League or Union? And I can’t really compare them, as they are so different. Took about 6 months to learn where to be on the field, always get penalized for not releasing. Taking awhile to get used to the new rules and how they do things, but I will always enjoy both.”

In saying that Craig fitted into Rugby Union well as the way you train for both codes are similar. “Training is one of the things that are quite similar, weights, cross fit, etc. Very similar structure, team building, meetings, etc as they all have the same process, recovery, same number of contact hours, gym hours, meeting hours etc.”

Craig has two memories he savours from his NRL career and they are “The first time I got picked to play for Australia, I didn’t think it would come true. Equally would be playing in the grand final. There is a certain amount of luck to be there on the final day, to have enough players that aren’t injured to play the game. “

Craig played in one Anzac League test match versus the Kiwis and described them as being the “Most memorable, bit of extra feeling and emotion due to the significance of it. All those people who went before us, sacrificing their lives and to play a game representing your country on that day is very special.”  Throughout Craig’s Rugby League career he enjoyed versusing “Newcastle, it was always just really good.” and playing against Newcastle’s great Danny Buderus.