Todd Byrne Shares Rugby League Experiences. by Josh Guy

Recently I was fortunate enough to speak with Ex New Zealand and Sydney Roosters wing, Todd Byrne. We spoke about his Rugby League career and his perspective on the changes to Rugby League today. I was privileged enough to gain an insight of the mental and physical challenges that players face in Rugby League in the NRL. As well as the highs Todd faced during his Rugby League career, his passion to prove himself, and the difficult Grand Final in 2003.

1.     What sport did you first start playing when you grew up?

League and Cricket, I played them both up until 13 or 14. Then I quit both and concentrated on body boarding. 

2. How did you get to play for the Sydney City Roosters?

So after I stopped playing I just surfed and went to school for the next few years. Then I moved on to University. When I was 19 or 20 a few of my mates started to play footy again so I joined them. In my second year back playing, a mate was good friends with the player agent Steve Gillis. I was playing well and he came down to watch. I got his number and we talked about a trial with Souths because I was a Bunnies junior and loved them to death, but within a short time they had been kicked out of the comp. So, a few weeks after Xmas Steve called a said I start training with the Roosters the next day. I trialled for a month or so and played well, eventually they gave me a 1 year “deal”; no money but medical was covered!! I was happy to have a chance, and that they took a chance, and it went from there. 

2a. What was it like to debut for them?

It was great. I think Luke Phillips was injured so Graham Murray called me in to the squad. It was a Monday night game so I had to sit and sweat the whole weekend. I was extremely nervous and all my mates came to my house to laugh at me. But when I finally got to the ground all my nerves disappeared. It was a thrill – I was this skinny kid and all of a sudden I was playing with Freddy, Fletch and Ricko. Anyway I played good and got MOM so I was stoked. A funny anecdote is that with my very first touch I ran from dummy half and got a penalty. The guy that gave the penalty away was Scott Sattler. 

2b.How difficult was the 2003 Grand Final to play against Penrith in the wet?

It made the game a real bash up, and the first half was just the forwards belting each other. Bill Harrigan was not blowing penalties so it just became a game through the middle. Our game was built on speed in defence and attack, so I think the rain slowed the game down didn’t help us build pressure. On top of that we made many uncharacteristic errors and Penrith capitalised. They handled the occasion better than we did. 

3.     What was it like play finals football, is it harder than playing regular season matches?

I thought it was great. Things always started off more intense than usual. But in saying that I tried to prepare as if it was a normal game. 

3a.  How difficult is it to prepare for a grand final?

Biggest difference is the attention it gets; there are media commitments, organising tickets, phone calls, breakfasts, many things that break the routine. 

4.     How much of an effect do you think injuries had on your career?

I was pretty lucky that I didn’t miss too many games. But in the end I had 8 ops in 10 years and I retired due to an ACL reconstruction. 

4a. What do you think of the changes the NRL has made to the concussion rules?

Should have been done a long time ago, the NRL needs to be forward thinking and a leader, not reactive. Having watched the Frontline documentary on NFL concussion, the NFL knew about it for many years and attempted to hide it and discredit the research. It is a real worry. I’ve been knocked out 7 or 8 times. I have a lesion on my brain stem. Im very concerned about the future consequences of being whacked in the head too many times. 

4b. What do you think of the changes the NRL has made to the biff rules?

A bit each way. It’s a physical, aggressive game. The NRL is trying to improve its brand but the culture of the game is rooted in biffo and beer etc. I think the no punching rule is good in theory but it ruined Origin 2. That was the grubbiest game in a long time. 

5.         How important is a good referee is in League?

Of course it is important but difficult to find and keep consistent 

a.     Do you think they have got better or worse since you played?

Worse. They seem too hamstrung by interpretations of the rules. Some of the obstructions and grounding rules are stupid. 

b.     Do you think the two referees have helped improve the speed of the game compared to when you played?

No, I think the fitness and subtle rule changes that stop teams dominating have increased the speed. 

6.         What do you think makes a good coach in Rugby League?

Being a man manager is the most important attribute 

6a. Who are the best coaches you have played under / got the best out of you? 

I had Ricky Stuart, Tony Kemp and Ivan Cleary in the NRL. Ricky was great because he had an intensity and dedication that rubbed off on everyone. He is very very passionate and driven and that mentality filtered through the team. Kempy was much more relaxed and thoughtful who ran the team along with the assistants. Ivan is very good tactically, probably best in the NRL. I think he adapts to his roster very well, it shows at Penrith.

This is why I think man management is the best skill as different personalities need different drivers / incentives to perform to their best. I was always driven by feeling I had something to prove whether that was to the coach or myself, usually a mix. Sticky got the best out of me when he showed faith in me when he picked me early in 2002. He told me he believed in my abilities, gave me a focus and I think that did wonders for me in 2002. When I went to NZ, I had a point to prove to (in my mind) the Roosters and the world. Kempy was great and told just to go out there and play and I had a great year. Ivan really challenged me in 2006 and I was in and out and injured. I didn’t respond to him early on but in 2007 I got my attitude back on track and ended up having a decent year.

7.               What characteristics/skills do you think make a good centre / winger? 

Defensively you have to be a good reader of the game. Everything a winger does is 1 on 1. You might not have to make a lot of tackles but every one you do is important. Attack wise speed, footwork and these days amazing athleticism.  For centres now the defensive workload is greater and many of the plays are directed towards centre and second rower.  Guys like JT focus on making the edge players make decisions and just wait for a stuff up. 

8.               What made you sign for the Warriors?

I had started 2004 with a point to prove and I was having a really good year. After 2003 and all the focus about Sattler’s tackle I wanted to stick it up all the critics. But with 6 weeks to go in the season I was dropped and within a few weeks the Roosters had signed Amos Roberts and Joel Monaghan. I had another year on my deal but I knew my time was up. My cards were marked after the 2003 final, no doubt. So, during the final series the Warriors got in contact and we did some negotiating and I signed. In 2004 they had just taken the spoon due to wrong steps tactically in pre-season (bulking up too much, less emphasis on fitness) but I spoke to Ivan Cleary and he told me the plans and I thought I would have a good time playing with Stacey Jones and the big NZ pack. 

9.     How much of an impact do you think the media has on players today?

It’s huge. I think social media increases availability, the 24hr news cycle etc have intensified the spotlight. With the mainstream media really struggling to stay relevant they have moved into infotainment. 

10.  Favourite Moment in your footballing career

Scoring the winning try against Souths for the Warriors in the last few seconds, we were down by 10 with 3 minutes to go. Souths were my team growing up and I had wanted to go there after the Roosters but they weren’t interested so it was a sweet moment. 

11.  Best player you have played with

Brad “Freddy” Fittler, He could really read the game. Mature, a steadying influence and always took the right option and had the right thing to say. But he was still one of the boys. 

12.  Best player you have played against

Darren Lockyer and Andrew “Joey” Johns, I always had to be on the ball because they were always planning and looking at the numbers. Defending out wide, I always had to be watching them, their eye movements etc.

13.  One team you loved versing

Bulldog, always a tough game but I always felt they left good gaps around the ruck that I could squeeze through

14.  What are you doing these days?

I work as a Ports Officer for NSW Ports at Port Botany. I still run, surf and train. I have a degree in Communication and Journalism which I plan to move in to. I’m also interested in some different things like Bitcoin and crypto currency