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Who says we don't have a lethal weapon !
Lopini Paea has promised the Roosters will not back down to giant South Sydney pack
By Christian Nicolussi From: The Daily Telegraph March 12, 2010 12:00AM
Powerful...Lopini Paea. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph
MUCH has been made about the size of the bulging Souths forward pack, but Roosters international prop Lopini Paea won't let the Bondi boys be bullied out of Sunday's fierce local derby.
Paea will go toe to toe with Rabbitohs giants Dave Taylor and UK recruit Sam Burgess. While the starting six for the Bunnies tip the scales at a collective 623kg, the Roosters are only 14kg lighter at 609kg.
Paea would not comment on Taylor's bold claim the Bunnies had the "best forward pack in the NRL".
Tongan Paea, himself no pushover at 108kg, said: "If I was in a pack like that I'd be bragging too.
"But every pack can compete with every pack in the NRL, that's what makes the competition so strong.
"Souths have got a good pack and they'll be looking to try and go straight through us, but we'll be up to the task. In the trials we've jelled together. We've got a few of our own big guys."
Paea said the Roosters would try to give English import Burgess a nightmare introduction to the NRL, but stressed they would not focus on one player.
He said the Roosters were keen to kickstart the season with a win and had enjoyed the fresh training regimen introduced by coach Brian Smith, tipping big things for new recruit Todd Carney, who had impressed his teammates in recent months.
Despite the little fanfare surrounding the Roosters' big boppers, they still attracted attention midweek at training as they posed for photos with the 923kg teenage rugby players from The Hills Sports High - featured in yesterday's Daily Telegraph - who had just completed a training session with the NSW Waratahs. The Roosters will start $2.50 outsiders, despite winning all their trials.
By Christian Nicolussi From: The Daily Telegraph March 12, 2010 12:00AM
Powerful...Lopini Paea. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph
MUCH has been made about the size of the bulging Souths forward pack, but Roosters international prop Lopini Paea won't let the Bondi boys be bullied out of Sunday's fierce local derby.
Paea will go toe to toe with Rabbitohs giants Dave Taylor and UK recruit Sam Burgess. While the starting six for the Bunnies tip the scales at a collective 623kg, the Roosters are only 14kg lighter at 609kg.
Paea would not comment on Taylor's bold claim the Bunnies had the "best forward pack in the NRL".
Tongan Paea, himself no pushover at 108kg, said: "If I was in a pack like that I'd be bragging too.
"But every pack can compete with every pack in the NRL, that's what makes the competition so strong.
"Souths have got a good pack and they'll be looking to try and go straight through us, but we'll be up to the task. In the trials we've jelled together. We've got a few of our own big guys."
Paea said the Roosters would try to give English import Burgess a nightmare introduction to the NRL, but stressed they would not focus on one player.
He said the Roosters were keen to kickstart the season with a win and had enjoyed the fresh training regimen introduced by coach Brian Smith, tipping big things for new recruit Todd Carney, who had impressed his teammates in recent months.
Despite the little fanfare surrounding the Roosters' big boppers, they still attracted attention midweek at training as they posed for photos with the 923kg teenage rugby players from The Hills Sports High - featured in yesterday's Daily Telegraph - who had just completed a training session with the NSW Waratahs. The Roosters will start $2.50 outsiders, despite winning all their trials.
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