Centre of Excellence to SCG

In truth, there is plenty to play for the visitors. Just ask Wests Tigers wingers Ken Maumalo and Brent Naden, who both say they’d love to throw a spanner in the works as the Roosters roll into September football.

Maumalo is back on deck after missing last week’s loss to the Sharks in Tamworth due to a knee injury, and will square up against one of the form wingers in the competition, Daniel Tupou. 

“He’s a really good player and has been for a long tome but I look forward to the challenge."

I know we’ve not done well this season but we have goals over the next few weeks and we’re not just making up the numbers."

We want to make a statement in the final three games and build momentum into next season."

Ken Maumalo

The seasoned Kiwi winger says all the players have a spring in their step after this week’s relocation to the club’s new Centre of Excellence.

“We could not possibly ask for better conditions to prepare ourselves and we are very lucky to have such a wonderful facility to call home.”

While Maumalo keeps a close watch on Tupou, there will be another tussle on the other side of the famous ground with Brent Naden marking Roosters starlet Joseph Suaalii.

Naden says he loves being presented with challenges each and every week.

Their outside backs are flying and he’s a great young player but that’s what we play for, the challenges."

Brent Naden

"We want to finish the season well and build confidence going into next season so for us as a playing group, there is a lot still to play for."

Naden is hoping he continues his own recent good form against the Roosters after getting a little lost on his first day at the club’s new home.

“It’s just huge it really is. I’ve never seen anything quite like it before. It’s an amazing place and we are all really excited to be in here."

It’s been a great first week in our new home but it got off to a bit of a shaky start for me."

I didn’t know where I was on our first day but luckily our football manager found me wandering around the basement and showed me where to go.”

Brent Naden

Naden is hoping for his first win at the SCG in the Roosters’ final game at the iconic venue, having lost on his only previous visit in 2019.

"It’s a special ground with so much history around it. We would love to chalk up a win and spoil their farewell.”