With the loss of international props Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Sam Moa in successive weeks, you couldnt be blamed for thinking the Sydney Roosters go forward may have dropped off slightly while two of their biggest boys spent time on the sidelines.
However when one door closes, another one opens, and in this case the one walking through that door was Frank-Paul Nuuausala.
Injured in the Round 4 romp of the Eels at Allianz Stadium, Frank the Tanks five-week absence from the Tricolours may not have been as obvious as if he had been missing for that long in previous seasons, due to the addition of some pretty handy forwards here in Bondi in 2013.
However, Nuuausalas return has certainly done nothing but add value to the Roosters pack since he took to the field at Brookvale Oval in Round 9 and, thanks to the Footy Gods, it couldnt have come at a better time.
With the ability to play in the front or back row, FPN is the player every coach wants - physical, tough, mobile, skilful and fired up for every occasion.
Dont be fooled by the smile, Nuuausala is here to play.
But, how is the man they call Bolo feeling ahead of what is undoubtedly the biggest test the new-look Chooks have faced this season?
We caught up with him ahead of this weekends blockbuster against the defending premiers.
Frankie, youve been back for two weeks now, how are you feeling?
Im feeling pretty confident with my knee now and just trying to get my match fitness back, so hopefully this week Ill get a few more minutes again.
You watched on for over a month, how did you think the big boys handled the start to the year in the middle of the field?
Sammy and Jared have been going well for us this year so far, leading us well from the front and getting us good go forward for Pearcey and Jimmy [Maloney] to play off the back of.
Youve been back for two games now, how do you think you and the other big-men are handling the load without those two?
Marty [Kennedy] and Luke [ODonnell] stepped up last weekend against the Cowboys in a huge way and its good to see Lama back in the action and stepping up as well in the NRL.
Some people are backing us in as favourites for Saturday night, how does it feel to have that confidence from the outside ahead of a clash with the defending premiers?
It feels unreal compared to last year, when we definitely would have been underdogs, but were not reading too much into it.
The Storm are a great team and theyve been the most consistent in the NRL over the past few years, so we just have to concentrate on the basics and the trademarks of our team that we keep trying to improve on each week.
How do you beat a side like the Storm, with talent across their whole 17?
Well have to work pretty hard in the middle.
You really have to start with shutting down their forwards and forcing them to kick out of their own half, making guys like Cooper Cronks job harder.
Were currently sitting third in the league for average crowds and the support has been something special so far in 2013, have you and the boys noticed it?
Its been so good to have them out there with us this year, it really gives us that extra pump up when were tired and when we need it.
What about this Saturday night, are you hoping for another packed out Allianz again?
Itd be awesome to see a full crowd out there this weekend.
Itll be good to hear those chants we keep hearing about here in the office and hopefully from a full crowd!
However when one door closes, another one opens, and in this case the one walking through that door was Frank-Paul Nuuausala.
Injured in the Round 4 romp of the Eels at Allianz Stadium, Frank the Tanks five-week absence from the Tricolours may not have been as obvious as if he had been missing for that long in previous seasons, due to the addition of some pretty handy forwards here in Bondi in 2013.
However, Nuuausalas return has certainly done nothing but add value to the Roosters pack since he took to the field at Brookvale Oval in Round 9 and, thanks to the Footy Gods, it couldnt have come at a better time.
With the ability to play in the front or back row, FPN is the player every coach wants - physical, tough, mobile, skilful and fired up for every occasion.
Dont be fooled by the smile, Nuuausala is here to play.
But, how is the man they call Bolo feeling ahead of what is undoubtedly the biggest test the new-look Chooks have faced this season?
We caught up with him ahead of this weekends blockbuster against the defending premiers.
Frankie, youve been back for two weeks now, how are you feeling?
Im feeling pretty confident with my knee now and just trying to get my match fitness back, so hopefully this week Ill get a few more minutes again.
You watched on for over a month, how did you think the big boys handled the start to the year in the middle of the field?
Sammy and Jared have been going well for us this year so far, leading us well from the front and getting us good go forward for Pearcey and Jimmy [Maloney] to play off the back of.
Youve been back for two games now, how do you think you and the other big-men are handling the load without those two?
Marty [Kennedy] and Luke [ODonnell] stepped up last weekend against the Cowboys in a huge way and its good to see Lama back in the action and stepping up as well in the NRL.
Some people are backing us in as favourites for Saturday night, how does it feel to have that confidence from the outside ahead of a clash with the defending premiers?
It feels unreal compared to last year, when we definitely would have been underdogs, but were not reading too much into it.
The Storm are a great team and theyve been the most consistent in the NRL over the past few years, so we just have to concentrate on the basics and the trademarks of our team that we keep trying to improve on each week.
How do you beat a side like the Storm, with talent across their whole 17?
Well have to work pretty hard in the middle.
You really have to start with shutting down their forwards and forcing them to kick out of their own half, making guys like Cooper Cronks job harder.
Were currently sitting third in the league for average crowds and the support has been something special so far in 2013, have you and the boys noticed it?
Its been so good to have them out there with us this year, it really gives us that extra pump up when were tired and when we need it.
What about this Saturday night, are you hoping for another packed out Allianz again?
Itd be awesome to see a full crowd out there this weekend.
Itll be good to hear those chants we keep hearing about here in the office and hopefully from a full crowd!
