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Thread: Devout recruit on rugby mission

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    Devout recruit on rugby mission

    Devout recruit on rugby mission
    Nick Taylor, The West Australian
    November 20, 2013, 5:12 am

    Devout recruit on rugby mission
    The West Australian ©
    Robbie Abel is on a new mission in life.

    Three years ago, the rising star of rugby put faith before football and came to WA for two years as a Mormon missionary.

    Now the former Australian schoolboys representative is back to fulfil his Super Rugby dream as one of the Western Force's new signings. The powerful, softly spoken 24-year-old hooker was with the ACT Brumbies academy in 2010 when he chose a different road.

    When his Mormon mission finished last year he went back to the Brumbies but caught the eye of Force coach Michael Foley, who invited him to move west again.

    Abel has no regrets about putting his career on hold.

    "To give up rugby for two years was hard but it was definitely worth it," he said.

    "I had always wanted to play rugby and I worked pretty hard at it when I was young, but mission work was always something I wanted to do. I always had a strong passion about my religion. I think I have become a better rugby player because of it.

    "I've learnt how to focus on what I want to achieve and go about it in a better way. The mission taught me how to work hard but probably the greatest thing is I've grown up a lot more."

    How does Abel reconcile his teachings with the game of rugby? "When we're on the field, we're on the field - we've come to play," he said.

    "If it means physicality that's the reason we play, the reason I love the game.

    "But when we're off the field, it's a totally different game.

    "The boys respect what I do and what I don't do. I've had a lot of them ask me about what I did. I like people asking questions and being different in a good way to be able to be an example."


    http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-...rugby-mission/

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    Immortal Contributor jono's Avatar
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    Least if he gets a wallabies gig he won't get banned for one too many shandys
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    (formerly known as Coach) Your Humble Servant Darren's Avatar
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    I wonder how Sunday games will be dealt with?

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    Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.

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    Veteran beige's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Coach View Post
    I wonder how Sunday games will be dealt with?
    Michael Jones style?

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    Immortal jargan83's Avatar
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    Israel Folau used to be a mormon (I think I read something that said he had changed churches) and played Sundays whilst with the Melbourne Storm if I remeber correctly

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    Immortal Contributor jono's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Coach View Post
    I wonder how Sunday games will be dealt with?
    Morning service.
    Posted via Mobile Device

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    Champion Contributor todd4's Avatar
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    Does he fill the last spot on the roster? or is he EPS?

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    Champion GAFFA's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by todd4 View Post
    Does he fill the last spot on the roster? or is he EPS?
    he is already in the EPS

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    “Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.

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    Champion Contributor todd4's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GAFFA View Post
    he is already in the EPS
    I'm guessing that's why nobody else asked the question ....

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