This was published 8 years ago
Tyrone Phillips to make his NRL debut for Canterbury Bulldogs
Tyrone Phillips is about to get a chance to make headlines for the right reasons.
Phillips is tipped to make his NRL debut for Canterbury as part of a reshuffled backline that takes on Canberra at GIO Stadium on Sunday. The 21-year-old will fill the void left by the injured Chase Stanley as the Bulldogs attempt to arrest a three-game losing streak. Former Eel Jacob Loko is also in contention for the vacant three-quarter spot, with a final decision to be made on game day.
Sio Siua Taukeiaho of the Roosters is tackled by Tyrone Ranuku Phillips of the Bulldogs in the 2015 Auckland Nines at Eden Park.Credit: Getty Images
Phillips is a player of great potential, having represented NSW at under 16s and 18s level before making his Test debut for Fiji last month. However, he is best known for becoming embroiled in a wild brawl with former South Sydney teammate Dylan Walker, which resulted in a slew of negative headlines. While Walker has gone on to win a premiership and play for Australia, Phillips has had to bide his time in the lower grades until now.
"I was just minding my own business when it all broke out," Phillips told Fairfax Media last year of the Beverly Hills incident.
"I couldn't do much about it, I helped my best mate, like any man would, to try to get him out of that situation.
"I was caught up in the wrong place at the wrong time and there's a bit of a penalty I have to pay.
"Obviously being a sports player and football player it went the wrong way. I've just got to learn with it, move forward and let the court decide what's right and wrong.
"The Dogs were really good about it.
"I got in trouble for a day or so, I had to go home and think about what I'd done and what I need to do to improve."
The Matraville Sports High School product said he had a point to prove to the Rabbitohs after signing with Canterbury in 2013.
"It was my decision. I had one more year on my contract but I decided to leave at the end of the day," he said.
"When Madge [Souths coach Michael Maguire] found out ... he said 'I want you to prove me wrong and show me the player you truly are.'
"You could say I wasn't happy at Souths. I wasn't in the best form and was sliding a bit downhill. The opportunity came and I decided to take it.
"Des [Hasler] showed me around and said 'I want you to be a part of my culture and be on board'. I thought why not?"
Another major point of interest from the match will be the clash between the pivots. Josh Reynolds was overlooked for the NSW No.6 jersey following a season marred by injury and suspension, while counterpart Blake Austin has been a revelation since shifting from Concord to Canberra.
Hasler is expecting Reynolds to bounce back from the disappointment of his omission.
"He's ok, he's obviously disappointed but it's the first of three games," Hasler said.
"He's got to keep working hard, keep working on his game, which he has. He's professional about it."