Scott Fava makes fresh start at Waratahs

[travelling_gerry]

Scott Fava makes fresh start at Waratahs

By Jon Geddes

January 29, 2009 12:00am


NEW Waratahs forward Scott Fava has revealed he almost quit rugby after being haunted by the drama where he was fined $11,000 for throwing a quokka at Rottnest Island.
But the dynamic back-rower says he has exorcised the demons and has a point to prove after switching to NSW this year.

And he gets a further chance to boost his claims for a spot in the Super 14 pack when he starts in the back-row in tomorrow night's trial against the Fiji Warriors in Newcastle.

Fava admitted the quokka incident which occurred during a team bonding session in November 2007 continued to plague him throughout last season, long after he was disciplined and publicly shamed by Western Force management.

"I wasn't getting proper sleep, I was always thinking about it," Fava said.

"It was always in the back of my mind - how I could have done things differently and 'what if'.

"I wasn't enjoying it at the Force last year and was even contemplating giving it away. It was definitely a year I would like to leave behind."

That controversy coupled with hearing a few home truths from his wife Sarah provided Fava with the wake-up call he needed.

"I'm a dad now and Sarah got up me and said it reflects on both her and Poppy (the couple's 18-month-old daughter)," he said.

"I had to really pull my head in. It has worked, I feel better for it and my family feels better for it."

Fava didn't want to drift out of the game on a low, so got a release from the final year of his Force contract to join NSW.

"It's given me an opportunity to leave that (drama) all behind," he said.

"I'm relaxed, I'm around family and friends, but also I'm sleeping better. I'm not thinking about any other issues. It's amazing the transformation and I think that might transfer into my rugby."

His arrival will help new coach Chris Hickey cover the losses of Wallabies back-rowers David Lyons and Rocky Elsom. The former Test forward looks set to replace Elsom at No. 6, providing a ruthless edge to the pack.

"I don't like to take a backward step, there is no doubt about that," said Fava, who has become the first player to turn out for all of Australia's Super 14 provinces. "I can't say I have come here as the saviour for that position in the back-row because that is far from the case.

"I'm going to be fighting with young guys coming through and I've got to be on my toes. It's time to move on. This is a chance to fight back and prove some people wrong."

http://www.news.com.au:80/dailyteleg...006067,00.html

[jargan83]

"I wasn't getting proper sleep, I was always thinking about it," Fava said.

Wow I was joking when I said to someone that the only reason he went to NSW was becasue he was having nightmares where Giant Quokkas were using him as the hammer for the hammer throw and his shrink told him to move far away

[waratahjesus]

if you replace the word quokka with mitchell i think you get closer to the truth!

[jargan83]

Giant Goon Bags chasing him around?

[travelling_gerry]

if you replace the word quokka with mitchell i think you get closer to the truth!

I happen to know that Fava likes Mitchell. So don't go down that path.

[waratahjesus]

I happen to know that Fava likes Mitchell. So don't go dont that path.

calm it down gerry, im just bored at work!
but i know thats a lie, mitchell is a kiwi and fava actually comes from a real rugby culture in nsw so its impossible, actually genetically impossible for him to like a kiwi!

[AndyS]

They are supposed to taste OK, but personally I like wings so I'll stick with chicken.

[laura]

Good on him.
It was all a bit unclear (to me, atleast) why he left butit seems to have done the trick, he sounds more positive anyway. Good to see he put his family first!

[Burgs]

Good luck Scotty, will always remember that first try and you are probably mentaly scarred for life by Sharpey's big sloppy kiss

Right, now he is opposition, target him boys, he often dies with the ball and is a prime candidate for drawing a free kick!

[joondalup dave]

how do you know that gerry , and no , asking him doesnt count. players are taught to treat every member of the public like they are the press.

[AndyS]

So what, Gerry should have asked for a signed affidavit? It must be one of the joys of being in the public eye - if you slip up and say something bad, they have seen into your soul. Say something nice though, it is a cover up. There's no winning.

[Jehna]

how do you know that gerry , and no , asking him doesnt count. players are taught to treat every member of the public like they are the press.

Perhaps you should let Haig Sare know that? He didn't seem to mind sharing some honest thoughts with the fans about his feelings...

[Happy]

Good luck Scotty - come back and say g'day!

[slomo]

i for one hope he has a great season......

[joondalup dave]

well i am sure haig has his reasons for his guard down ,looks like scott is following the company line as all team are told to but often not adhere too.