SAM McIntyre has been on the receiving end of many good tackles throughout his rugby league career.
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It’s part of the game that he knows you sign up for when you make the decision to play.
And occasionally you will know the player who lines you up as soon as the ball comes out your way.
Sunday’s game at Mt Smart Stadium was the former Port Macquarie Sharks first in the National Youth Competition and it’s one he’s unlikely to forget in a hurry.
With the Knights in control of the match, the ball was spun out to McIntyre on the right edge where he lined up against former Knight Mat Faitotoa.
The two used to play together in the Knights SG Ball team last year, so the Port Macquarie boy knew Faitotoa could hit.
What happened next was a copybook tackle right under the ball from the Warriors centre.
“He got under me and I probably should have given him the ball to be honest, but I just wanted to hold it just in case,” McIntyre said.
“I knew he was going to do it, but I always try to poke my nose through. I ended up doing a front flip, but that’s footy.”
He got under me and I probably should have given him the ball to be honest, but I just wanted to hold it just in case.
- Sam McIntyre
While McIntyre will have to wait another week to score his first try, the teenager contributed well during the Knights comfortable 48-10 win.
His impressive first-up performance in the Holden Cup saw him make 26 tackles and run for more than 150 metres.
The 19-year-old said the main difference from the Newcastle Rugby League and playing in the Knights juniors was the “speed” of the game.
“It’s definitely a lot faster,” he said.
“But I was really happy with my contribution in the game and it’s only round one, but you’ve got to keep going from here.
McIntyre said it was more difficult playing in the second row than the centres because he had to try to contribute to every set.
“There’s a lot more work to do in the second row,” he said.
“You’ve got to get in and try to have a run every set and if you’re not making a run in that set, you have to make one the next set, make your tackles and try and win the tackles.
“It’s about winning them these days and slowing the ruck down.
“I thought it was a good team performance. It’s easy to play good when everyone’s putting in.”
The former Shark said there was still plenty for the team to work on heading in to this Saturday’s clash with Gold Coast at McDonald Jones Stadium.
“We have a few things to work on, because there were a few offloads we shouldn’t have thrown and our online defence needs to keep being good,” he said.
“I only live a short drive from the ground so I get a bit of a sleep in on Saturday but it should be good to play the first game at home.”