When Aaron Woods led the Wests Tigers out on to the field at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday, March 5 to face the NZ Warriors, he was 24 years old.
When he played his second game as skipper, on Monday, March 14, at Leichhardt Oval against Manly, he was 25 years and one day old.
The big fellow was born on March 13, 1991.
This Saturday, April 2, he will run out as captain of his beloved Tigers for the fifth time.
But already some people are mentioning his name for higher honours – NSW State of Origin captain no less.
This morning, at a press conference at Campbelltown Stadium ahead of the Sharks clash there tomorrow night, Woods’s coach, Jason Taylor, agreed that he could do that job next year for the Blues.
“He’s really impressed so far, the way he’s stepped into that role,’’ Taylor told the media.
“He’s really done it well – better than I thought he would go in some areas to be honest.
“And it hasn’t changed him, and the way he’s prepared to spend time with the guys and the way he cares about his teammates has been really impressive,’’ Taylor said.
The Wests coach was asked if he agreed with suggestions Woods may be the man to replace Paul Gallen, who has announced this will be his last year in Origin.
“Yeah, I think he would,’’ Taylor responded.
“I hadn’t thought about that before, but the way he’s taken this in his stride, I think he would do the same for NSW.’’
Gallen has been out injured but has been named to make his return tomorrow night at Campbelltown and Taylor was asked what he would bring to the table.
“We’re really respecting Cronulla’s defence, they’ve been impressive and it’s going to be a tough game,’’ the coach said.
“Paul Gallen’s going to make a difference to their team, no doubt about it.
“He’s a great player and he will be out to play well – they’ve been going well and he will want to add to that.
“He just makes it tougher for us.’’
The Tigers did not score a point in their 8-0 loss to the Eels last week and Taylor was asked what his team had learned from that defeat.
“We just need a bit more composure in attack and that’s what we should have done against Parramatta.
“If the scoreboard doesn’t tick over for long periods we need to learn to be comfortable with that – and we will.
“It’s great to learn some lessons there against the Eels but we want to see some progress there this week.’’
