TOM Learoyd-Lahrs has pulled on the sky blue of NSW before, four times in fact, although never in Tamworth as he will be doing today when the former NRL star gets the call-up to join the Legends of League Origin clash at Jack Woolaston Oval.
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The hulking former Canberra Raider once called Tamworth home, and now does again after taking up a role at Tamworth High School after injuries put a halt to his 12-year NRL career that also saw him pull on the green and gold four times.
While his time at the top of the game might be over, his boots are far from hanging on the wall just yet, the second- rower ready to not only go around with the North Tamworth Bears and Group 4 representative side, but also switching codes to notch up a few games for the Pirates in the upcoming Central North Rugby season.
He also dedicates time to coaching the North Tamworth U14s and U6s, and has just about been guest speaker or attendee at every junior football function and event on the calendar in a testament to the big man’s personality and his want to give back to the game.
Today he will run on alongside some of his own child- hood heroes, as well as some former teammates and opposition players as a litany of big names hit Jack Woolaston Oval for the charity clash.
“There are Origin players here from so many different eras – the last 35 years of the game,” Learoyd-Lahrs said.
“It is great to be involved in something like this.”
The big second-rower knows that it is a charity and exhibition match, but also knows that the old competitive spirit is never far from the surface of the former players.
“I think it will be like an aggressive game of touch footy,” he said.
“ I never thought I would get to play for NSW or with blokes like this again so it is great.
“There’s be a bit less pressure and physicality this time.”
As far as players go, the Raiders hitman is in awe of the players who have a different skill set to himself.
“Players like David Peachey and (Nathan) Blacklock who have all those extra skills were always great to watch.
“It will be good to play with and against all the blokes that I never had a chance to.”
The Legends will kick off at 6.30pm following five local games, with gates opening at midday.
QUEENSLAND: 1 Robbie O’Davis, 2 Rod Silva, 3 Peter Gill, 4 Stu Kelly, 5 Matt Seers, 6 Ashley Harrison, 7 Shaun Berrigan, 8 Mark Tookey, 9 Craig Teevan, 10 Petero Civoniceva, 11 Craig Wilson, 12 Kevin Campion, 13. Billy Peden.
NSW: 1 Owen Craigie, 2 John Hopoate, 3 Ivan Cleary, 4 Ben Smith, 5 Nathan Blacklock, 6 David Peachey, 7 Noel Goldthorpe, 8 Bruce Maguire, 9 Aaron Raper, 10 Mark O’Meley, 11 Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, 12 Greg Florimo, 13 Jim Serdaris, 14 Max Krilich.
