Eorl Crabtree Testimonial: Eorl's Blog #5

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Blog Issue #5: 27th February 2010

Following impressive performances with England in the Four Nations, powerful prop forward Eorl Crabtree has taken on from where he left off last year at the start of Super League XV.

“I feel fit and healthy. Admittedly, I feel a bit tired, from not having as big a break as I usually have due to International duties, but I’m raring to go. In the past two years, I’ve had really strong pre-seasons and I think all that hard work is paying off now.”

The Giants have made an encouraging start so far, with the addition of six new faces contributing to two wins from their first three outings, the latest coming at Craven Park in a thirty points to nil romp.

“Everyone has settled into the club pretty well. In rugby league, everyone kind of knows everyone. All Giants fans know about Drewy, Lee Gilmour was known by everybody before he came as we’ve played against him a lot during his Saints days. Also, there are a few Kiwis in the team, so they all knew about David Fa’alogo so we all stick together and we’re a really close knit unit.”

However, attentions quickly turn to events on Sunday, when the Warrington Wolves come to town and the nephew of the great wrestler “Big Daddy” can’t wait to come up against one of the toughest packs around.

“Playing against forwards, especially with the amount of talent Warrington have, is something I relish. Carvell and Morley are two of the best props around and there is good banter off the field, whereas on the pitch, it’s really tough. I’m really looking forward to it, to test myself against this team and in the end the battle up front could be the deciding factor who wins the game.”

Sunday will also be the second confrontation Crabtree will have with Morley in a week on the back of a very successful Sportsman’s Dinner on Tuesday evening.

“Tuesday evening was very enjoyable indeed. There was a turn out of 250 people and have already had loads of positive feedback. I thoroughly enjoyed the night as a whole, especially with all the fans there. There was a “Pick of the Props” theme included and am very grateful for the other players who turned up, including Jamie Peacock, James Graham and Adrian Morley.
We’ve got loads of events planned throughout the year, involving all the family and fans. The next event will be a sports quiz, to be held on 27th April at the Golcar British Legion Club and teams will be contesting from Huddersfield Giants, other Super League Clubs, Sky TV and Super League referees.”

The official merchandise for the testimonial year has been a big hit with all the supporters, which includes a design, created by Crabtree himself.

“We had looked at Richard Horne’s testimonial logo and how he embedded the six into his name. We’ve tried to work with a similar design and put an eight on the O, and everyone has reacted to it very positively.

This is perhaps something we haven’t had down at the Giants before and the sales of the hoodies and the testimonial playing shirt are going well.”

However, an event that did not go according to plan was the postponement of Eorl’s testimonial clash with Yorkshire neighbours Halifax due to the arctic weather we received in January.

“We were really disappointed, especially as we had sold all the boxes for the game. Unfortunately the weather beat us but one positive is that it gives us more preparation for next year’s game, so it will be enjoyable for everyone.”

Another major event on the rugby league calendar also taking place this Sunday is the World Club Challenge where Leeds Rhinos will face the Melbourne Storm, including some Australians who Crabtree has already faced.

“Billy Slater is an exceptional player. I had the chance to play against him twice last year for England against Australia at Wigan and then at Elland Road in the final and he is unbelievably quick-he’s definitely a player Leeds will have to keep an eye on.

I would love Leeds to win but looking at present form, you’ve got to say Melbourne. I think it will be a very tough game and in these big matches the form book goes out the window.”

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