St George Illawarra star Nathan Fien can’t wait for Friday, but unlike most Dragons fans it’s not just the start of the Dragons’ 2010 NRL campaign which has the New Zealand International excited.

Fien’s wife is due to give birth on Friday and the hooker is preparing himself for a busy 24 hours.

“My wife’s expecting our fourth child so that’s very exciting, she’s actually due to give birth on Friday so it could be a big night.”

After being named in the starting line-up for the Dragons’ blockbuster opening round clash against the Eels at Parramatta Stadium on Friday night, Fien can’t wait to get stuck into the nitty-gritty of another NRL season.

“Obviously it’s the start to the NRL season and all the hard work we’ve put in over the summer has finally paid off and we’re ready to kick off and get stuck into it all.

“Every team at this stage of the season is obviously a lot fitter and a lot stronger than they we’re last year so we really have to go there and concentrate on our own games and try and get our own backyard intact,” said Fien.

“The NRL is a lottery at this stage of the season and you really just want to get out there and test yourselves to see where you’re at,” added Fien.

Fien believes the Dragons have made improvements right across their squad during the off-season but he remains wary of complacency heading into the start of the competition.

“I think the boys right across the field have a lot more depth. We’re a lot stronger in each position, everyone is talking about their fitness and strength being a lot better than last year.

“That alone though is not going to do it for us, we’ve got to want go out there and do it because every team in the NRL is exactly the same because they’ve been plugging away over summer as well so it’s just a matter of who wants it the most,” said Fien.

Fien is well aware of the kind of test that an opening round match against the Eels will present for last year’s Minor Premiers.

“It all starts on Friday night up against Parramatta who obviously went very well towards the back end of last year so it’s going be a big challenge for us”