The Sydney Roosters have joined in the festivities to celebrate Chinese New Year.
2017 is the Year of the Rooster, and on Friday, Roosters captain Jake Friend and prop Isaac Liu were at the Opera House for the launch of the City of Sydney’s Chinese New Year festival, which included the unveiling of two giant Roosters.
Liu couldn't help but to reflect on his own heritage during the Opera House visit.
“I was born in Auckland, but my family is Samoan, and that includes Asian heritage from my dad’s side of the family, so I’m really proud to be able to celebrate my family heritage at this time of year,” he said.
"Obviously with our mascot being a Rooster, there’s a good tie in there, and I was really proud to be asked to participate because it’s a way for me to honour the Asian heritage on my dad’s side of the family," he added.
On Saturday, Friend and utility Connor Watson joined the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, in Chinatown for the festivities.
Friend and Watson handed out red tokens in celebration of Chinese New Year, and were honoured to be part of the festivities on the day.
Mitchell Aubusson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall and the Roosters cheersquad also participated in the festivities over the weekend, taking some time to talk to fans and celebrate at the Lunar Markets.
They posed for pictures with fans, signed some gear, mingled with those in attendance and very much enjoyed the evening.
The celebrations of the Year Of The Rooster run over 17 nights in Sydney, featuring a giant lantern exhibition through Circular Quay, a special art exhibition of work from the 2016 Archibald Prize finalist and much more.
The festival will be running until the 12th of February.
