With their Round 2 match well behind them now, the Sydney Roosters come up against their arch-rivals the South Sydney Rabbitohs, withcentre Joseph Manu primed and ready for the next match between the two foundation clubs this Friday.
Stretching back all the way to the Grand Final of 1908 - the competition's first season - the Roosters and Rabbitohs have always had strong and healthy rivalry no matter where either team is placed on the table - and the 24-year-old is primed for yet another match between the neighbouring Clubs when they come together at Stadium Australia, particularly against his former centre partner Latrell Mitchell.
"It's always a good game every time we play them," Manu said.
"The crowd gets right into it, the fans love it and every game we take them on is big and special so I'm really excited. I love playing these big games.
"I love the atmosphere around it, I enjoy playing against them. It's a tough game and it gets really physical.
Round 3 Media - Brett Morris
"It's good to see him (Mitchell) back out there playing, it'll be a good game. Both teams have seventeen players so I'm sure whoever's out there will do the job."
Despite posting big wins against the Sea Eagles and Wests Tigers respectively in the first two weeks of the 2021 NRL season, Manu - as well as teammates Lindsay Collins and Drew Hutchison - says there is still plenty for the team to work on in the coming weeks, a scary proposition for opposition players and fans alike.
"I think we're playing well, our attack is clicking and our combinations are going well there but we've still got a long way to go," he said.
"There are a few things we're looking to improve on, we'll be doing that during the week and we're trying to get better with each game. It's a good start, but there's a lot we want to work on, mainly our defence.
"We're a bit disappointed with the try and a couple of breaks there so we want to work on that and even with our attack, there's still a lot of areas where we know weren't up to our standards."
I love the atmosphere around it, I enjoy playing against them. It's a tough game and it gets real physical.
Joseph Manu On the Roosters vs Rabbitohs Rivalry
With the Tricolours' right side on fire to start season - providing twelve of the Club's sixteen tries scored so far, Manu says he is relishing the opportunity to play around the likes of Luke Keary, James Tedesco and Brett Morris, and also gave praise to Jared Waerea-Hargreaves' efforts from the bench.
"It's pretty good playing next to them and also having Brett (Morris) outside me," Manu said.
"I'm in a good position out there and I'm just trying to do my best and bring my best for the team. Working of those two is pretty good though.
"He's (Waerea-Hargreaves) has always been important to us. Whenever he's been on the field he's been pretty vocal and intense, the forwards love getting behind him he really goes after his opponents.
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