The Sydney Roosters are officially set for their 2020 return next Friday night when they take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 3 at Bankwest Stadium.
Now three weeks into their return to training, there’s a level of excitement amongst the playing group as the level of activity continues to ramp up week-by-week.
It’s been two months since the Roosters took to the field, so it’s understandable that there’s an itch that requires scratching next Friday night.
RoostersTV | Forwards Ready For Rivalry Round 3
“Last week it really ramped up, it was exciting stuff and it was fun,” Lindsay Collins said when offering an update on the resumption of regular training.
“It’s good to be back into it all.
“I woke up Thursday morning feeling like I’d been hit by a truck, it’s a good feeling.”
Not only do they get to return to what they do best, but they get to do so against their arch-rivals, the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The Roosters forwards are relishing the physicality of training, and will need as much of it as they can get to prepare for a battle that always packs an extra punch.
Despite the mouth-watering battle though, there is a clear focus within the playing group and everyone appears to be on the same page.
Contact Training | Week Two
“We’re just happy to be playing,” Jared Waerea-Hargreaves said about the upcoming clash.
“We’re really grateful to be getting this opportunity, and it doesn’t really matter who we play.
“No doubt the Bunnies will be exciting to play though.”
Waerea-Hargreaves received praise from his teammates upon returning to training, as the veteran prop returned looking the same as when he left.
Never one to shy away from leading with the front foot, Waerea-Hargreaves says that it’s accountability that’s kept him in tip top shape.
JWH Talks Week Two with RoostersTV
“As a leader of the Club, you hold yourself accountable.
“You’ve got no one else there pushing you except yourself, and as a leader you want to come back and do as much as you can.
“It’s your role.
“It doesn’t bother me what other people are doing, as long as we’re working hard here at the Roosters.”
The Roosters head into next week’s showdown seeking their first win of the season, but with extra preparation and fresh bodies there is a certain enthusiasm within the playing group.
Despite numerous prods about one of the greatest rivalries in Australian sport, Sam Verrills was stern about the task at hand.
“Even not being at the Roosters, you do see it on TV and embrace it,” Verrills said to the media.
“Any sort of rivalry in sport is massive.
“To come to the Roosters you see it is a rivalry, but also we need to get on with the game.
“We started 0 and 2, we really need a win and that’s where our main focus will be.
It’s important to respect the rivalry, but for us we want to go out there and get the win.
Sam Verrills
