Family sacrifices pay dividends as Eorl Crabtree set to star against the Aussies

Nov 13 2009 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

EORL Crabtree’s family has been with him through the highs and the lows – and tomorrow will be an ultimate high.

“There have been some tough times along the way and I’ll never forget how gutted he was the other year when he thought he was going to be picked to play in a Test series against Australia and then got the call to say he’d been left out.

“But he just kept his head down, worked harder, and on Saturday will play in probably the biggest game in his career.

“It has meant we’ve had to make sacrifices as a family. Holidays together have been pretty thin on the ground in recent years.

“But that still doesn’t stop us all as a family loving every minute of what Eorl has been going through. We really wouldn’t have had it any other.

“I’m proud of him, so are our children, and so is everyone else in the family.”

Crabtree made his full Test debut in England’s victory against France in Paris in June and then featured in the 26-16 defeat to Australia two weeks ago before helping the nation defeat New Zealand 20-12 at Huddersfield’s Galpharm Stadium last Saturday to set up a final showdown with the famous green and golds this weekend.

And Helen believes Eorl and his teammates have what it takes to secure victory.

“Eorl played really well against Australia the other week and I know how confident he and his teammates are as tomorrow approaches,” she added.

“And I know they can do it, with Eorl obviously playing the starring role!”