Be There For Wingy's 250th Game!
04 Jul 2009
Reaching another milestone in a long career, Rabbitohs utility player Craig Wing will play his 250th game this Saturday night at 5:30pm when the Rabbitohs take on the Tigers at ANZ Stadium.
After debuting in first grade for South Sydney in round one of the 1998 NRL season, Wing has become a Rugby League veteran, winning premierships and playing representative football on various occasions.
“I think it takes a lot of hard work and dedication to accomplish a successful career. It also involves commitment over a long period of time.” Wing said regarding playing 250 games at the top level.
Wing says he regards his first grade debut as a game other than that round one clash with the Warriors back in ’98.
“Historically people say my debut was against the Warriors, but I see the Charity Shield that I played in as my first game,” Wing explained.
“I was so excited and pumped. I was smaller and lighter than what I am now but I felt bullet-proof. There was a great crowd and I was buzzing for so long afterwards.”
In 2000, Wing moved to the Sydney Roosters where he began playing as half back. In 2003 he moved to hooker and sometimes played five-eighth. Wing won a premiership with the Roosters in 2002 where he scored a try in the season’s decider. He is also one of the very few NRL players who have played in four Grand Finals, having played in the 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004 deciders.
“Winning a Grand Final is one of my best memories from all of my 250 games,” Wing said.
“It takes a lot of work and an element of luck. If you have the right combination of the two, you’ll get there eventually.”
In 2007, it was publicised that Wing agreed to a four-year contract with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and would be leaving the Roosters. In his first game back in the red and green in the Club’s Centenary season, Wing was taken out by Roosters hooker Riley Brown with his infamous ‘prowler’ tackle, but the Rabbitohs felt his impact when he returned to the field in the Rabbitohs’ 29-28 win over the North Queensland Cowboys, the second-biggest comeback in Rugby League history.
Along with a successful career in club football, Wing’s representative career is also long and distinguished. He has represented City Origin on six occasions, New South Wales in State of Origin 11 times, and has also worn the green and gold of Australia on 16 occasions.
Recently, Wing was also named in the Australian squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup and for City in the City vs Country match on 8 May 2009. On June 3 2009, Wing played in the first State of Origin clash for New South Wales, almost pulling off a miracle performance to come close to stealing the win for the Blues.
“I was glad to represent New Souths Wales coming from Souths,” Wing said.
“I’m a fourth generation South Sydney player and it meant a lot to me. I always thought it would be nice to wear the Blues jumper coming from the Rabbitohs. It was pretty special.
“Playing for Australia was another of my favourite memories because it’s the best of both NSW and QLD players. Playing for NSW was great but I had always wanted to play for Australia.”
Wing has moved into four different positions at the Rabbitohs so far in 2009, playing five-eighth, hooker, lock or halfback at different stages of the season.
“I’m pretty happy with Souths season this year so far,” Wing explained.
“I’ve battled my way back through injuries up until around March. I’m proud of where I’ve come from and I am glad to win a few games.”
Make sure you are at Saturday night’s game to cheer on the Rabbitohs and Craig Wing in his 250th game.
If you are yet to secure your tickets for the game, avoid the queues at the gates by pre-purchasing your tickets from Ticketek. You can do so by clicking here or calling 132 849.