Napa loses teeth, wins over Rooster hearts
Apr 27, 2017 - 3:09 AM Sydney Roosters hard man Dylan Napa is set to line up in Sunday's NRL clash against the Warriors just days after having three teeth reinserted.Napa's reputation as one of the toughest players in the competition will only be enhanced after he finished his side's thrilling Anzac Day win without three of his teeth.
Napa's Rooster teammates were oblivious to his predicament after it was left to an official to find the missing teeth in the Allianz Stadium turf.
The no-fuss front rower was so stoic, he didn't even tell his teammates and went to lengths to hide it from them.
"He must have worn his mouth guard in the sheds after the game for us not to notice," front-row partner Jared Waerea-Hargreaves said.
After having some dental work, Napa has joined his teammates on a flight to Auckland on Thursday and is set to take on the Warriors on a five-day turnaround.
"To lose three teeth and keep playing and for him to not even talk about it, he's the man," Waerea-Hargreaves said..
"It's one of the toughest things I've seen. It's a credit to him. He's a tough bugger and you've got to be tough to play this game."
It's unclear how the Queensland-born prop came to have a gap in his smile.
The tale is only heightened by the fact it was his first game back from a high ankle sprain which sidelined him for two weeks.
"It's a credit to him to just play on and to do it coming back from an injury," Waerea-Hargreaves said.
"And to only have a couple weeks out when some people the same injury it takes six to eight weeks.
"We all know he's a tough bugger but it just goes to show how much the team means to him.
"He's put his body on the line and he's put his teeth on the line. Love him, love his attitude."
The act of intestinal fortitude will make Queensland coach Kevin Walters sit up and take notice as he searches for a replacement for injured prop Matt Scott for their State of Origin shield defence.
Source: AAP
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Cordner set for Roosters training return Dec 30
- Roosters shift Storm game to Adelaide Dec 18
- Roosters sack Nikorima over drugs breach Dec 14
- Luke Keary signs new Roosters NRL deal Dec 12
- Gordon exit exposes Chooks' Achilles heel Dec 11
- Roosters reportedly re-sign key duo Dec 7
- Tedesco maps out his plan for Roosters Nov 29
- Leaving Roosters right call for me: Pearce Nov 20
- I can work with Cooper, says Pearce Nov 17
- I wanted to be a Rooster for life: Guerra Nov 13
- Pearce's influence can't be forgotten: JWH Nov 2
- Cronk won't unsettle Roosters: Cordner Oct 31