Confidence and belief in the squad are the main forces driving the Sydney Roosters as they take recent adversity head-on in preparation for their Easter Sunday match against the New Zealand Warriors.
With eighteen-year-old halfback Sam Walker set to make his NRL debut, Daniel Tupou, Angus Crichton and Sitili Tupouniua were on hand for media duties and made their excitement to play alongside the newest Rooster known.
"He’s obviously a great young talent and he’s proved that in his trial and the couple games he’s played for the Bears (Roosters’ feeder club North Sydney) and I’ve seen a lot of it at training," Crichton said.
“Just through watching him train and playing alongside him, I’ve got a heap of confidence and I actually can’t wait to get out on the field with him.
“Luke (Keary) is someone that we’ll definitely miss but I think in all situations there’s got to be a silver lining and this one is a young guy getting his opportunity."
Daniel Tupou Round 4 Media
“He’s a real calm kid. He’s come in this morning confident and that’s the type of person he is," Tupou added.
“I’m sure you’ll see heaps of that on Sunday and again, we’re confident in him and he’ll get the job done."
With a number of changing roles in the team, the trio is well aware that the entire squad must step up to the challenge, and are all thriving on the opportunity of doing so against the Warriors this Sunday at the Club's home ground - the hallowed SCG.
We’re not going to take them lightly, they’re going to come out and play. We’re happy to be playing Easter Sunday here at home in front of our fans.
Daniel Tupou Roosters Winger
“We’ve still got a massive belief in ourselves and the squads we have. That’s how we all feel, whoever comes up next will be ready," Tupouniua stated.
“They’ve been playing well but want to focus on ourselves this week. Despite who is playing we’re always going to focus on ourselves and we want to improve from last week."
“We’ve all got a role to play, and whoever steps into that role is going to do a great job for us. We’re pretty confident in who steps in that role is going to do well for us. It starts with training today," said Tupou.
“Robbo’s (Head Coach Trent Robinson) pretty resilient. He’s just said that we’ve got to get the job done and move on. We’re confident and just got to have belief.
“We’re not going to take them lightly, they’re going to come out and play. We’re happy to be playing Easter Sunday here at home in front of our fans."
“There’s a few changes but nothing that’s going to throw us off our game," a determined Crichton said.
“It’s an opportunity for us to step up. It will be a great test of our character, and I’ve got confidence in this squad that we can live up to that.
“I’m looking really forward to Sunday at home."
Sitili Tupouniua Round 4 Media
While plenty of the attention has been on Walker's debut, the senior players say they are also looking forward to the return of fan-favourite hitman Victor Radley and had plenty of praise for the local junior.
“We’re pretty stoked (to have him back)," said Tupou.
"With the energy Rads brings and the toughness also, the boys are confident. We can’t wait to see him out there."
"He's a beast and I'm excited to have him back this week," echoed Tupouniua.
More on Roosters.com.au
LINE UP FOR ROUND 4 VS WARRIORS ANNOUNCED
