New Zealand international forward Frank-Paul Nuuausala has declared that playing against the Warriors and former team mates such as Simon Mannering and Manu Vatuvei usually brings out the best in him.
Nuuausala was signed by the Warriors as a 15 year old before the club let him go and the 27 year old subsequently joined the Sydney Roosters.
"I always love playing against the Warriors," Nuuausala said with a smile. "I'm from New Zealand and it's always good playing against some of my old mates and players that I knew.
"I used to play with and against Thomas Leuluai, Simon Mannering, Ben Matulino and Manu Vatuvei in the junior reps.
"Manu and I have a good friendship and a close bond but on the field we put it away for 80 minutes. After the game though we will catch up for a chat and maybe some kava.
"I'm really passionate when I play against them and it definitely brings out the best in me."
Nuuausala has again been selected on the bench for the game against the Warriors on Sunday at GIO Stadium, but that does not bother the premiership-winning utility forward.
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"I didn't mind starting off the bench, there was a game plan to it," Nuuausala said.
"Ricky knows what he's doing and I'm just concerned about doing whatever will best serve the team. Paps [Josh Papalii] and Tilsey did an awesome job in the front-row and with Vaughany and I on the bench we can pick up the tempo of the game when we come on with our leg speed.
"We were happy to get the win against the Sharks, but we know we have a lot of improvement in us and we need to lift again against a Warriors team looking to bounce back from their loss to the Knights."
CLICK HERE to watch the Match Highlights from the 24-20 win over the Cronulla Sharks in Round 1.
CLICK HERE to see the key statistics from the match.
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