“He’s huge. He’s a world-class player and has been for a long time,” Harris said. “I think he’ll make a massive difference. Personally, when I’m lining up next to him, he gives me good confidence, and also I just want to perform to the best I can.
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“He’s just very professional, I love watching the way he goes about his business. He’s a hard trainer, he’s a world-class player and athlete. I quiz him a lot about his actual game on the field at training and a bit about the breakdown. But also just how he preps for games, how he gets ready week in, week out, to play.”
The Drua are also hopeful of welcoming back some quality for this week’s clash, including back rower Meli Derenalagi and second rower Isoa Nasilasila, both of whom were starters in the Drua’s watershed win over the Rebels in round three.
Fiji sevens Olympic gold medallist Kitione Taliga is also in the mix for his Super Rugby debut, which was delayed by injury in the side’s pre-season trial game. Highly-rated utility back Tuidraki Samusamuvodre is also expected to be available for his debut.
Byrne said he was disappointed with his side’s loss to the Rebels at the weekend and felt the players still started games overawed by the occasion.
“It’s the nerves, the pre-match nerves, it’s all new to them,” he said. “There’s going to come a time, I can actually sense it this week … that they’ve had enough of chasing the game, and they realise that now. I don’t want to pre-empt anything for this weekend but I’m pretty sure the boys have had enough themselves and they’ll come out firing.”
Smiles all round as Hooper gears up for long-awaited Super return
Source: Philippines Alive
