John Mann-Rea enters the fray for the Harden Red Devils at Robert’s Park on Saturday. A stinging tackle by the veteran forced a turnover which resulted in Harden going on to score a try.
Josh Mann-Rea made his return to the Rugby Paddock on Saturday in the Harden Red Devils 44-3 win over the West Wyalong Weevils.
The former Waratahs, Brumbies and Wallabies Hooker didn’t take long to find his timing, after spending most of 2019 and all of this year out of the game through injury.
The West Wyalong player who was on the receiving end of one particular tackle, is likely still sore.
Mann-Rea retired in June 2019 and underwent rehab with the Brumbies although he was not going to return to the field professionally. The Canberra Times story that reported on Mann-Rea’s retirement at the time was titled ‘Josh Mann-Rea slipped into Brumbies retirement without fuss’
He left the game as the oldest player in the Australian Super Rugby history and as someone who never sought the spotlight but who endured and followed his dream. He returned to the paddock on Saturday for the bush side with the same non fuss attitude.
Mann-Rea bloomed in the latter part of his career. The former Australian under 19s Hooker played in the same junior Wallabies side as Mark Gerrard and Matt Giteau. He was ready to quit rugby to work in the Illawarra coalmines before making his debut for the NSW Waratahs in 2012 before the Brumbies signed him the following season.
14 months after telling the Canberra Times that, “Hopefully I can play a few games for Harden next year.” Mann-Rea returned to the rugby playing ranks, true to his word. This time as an amateur. He played Prop off the bench and will no doubt provide a great deal of what can’t be found in young players….. experience.
Nick named Bongo, Mann-Rea just did what he has always done. He got out there and played footy. And, he played it well.
Harden will take on last year’s Premiers, Coota at Coota at 3:15pm on Saturday.
