St George Illawarra Dragons halfback hopeful Josh Drinkwater is eager for the imminent 2014 season after training for eight weeks in the Red-and-Whites’ gruelling preseason.
The Under 20s Blues State of Origin representative has his sights set on playing in the Nines tournament in Auckland and believes it will provide him with the necessary skills for succeeding.
The 21-year-old is ecstatic about the up and coming Charity Shield match in Wollongong and hopes to don the Number 7 jersey in the blockbuster against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
“I’m feeling good about preseason after training for a couple of months, the body is still sore,” said Drinkwater.
“It’s exciting with trials just around the corner, all the boys can’t wait to get out there and start playing.
“I think everyone just wants to get out there and get a few runs and get some fair game time and put their best foot forward for Round 1.
“We haven’t really spoken about the Nines, obviously it would be exciting to get over there and play in the first tournament.
“I think it would be a good experience for me to play in the Nines, it would open space up and refine my running game, if I were to be picked I would be more than happy to go over there and play some good footy.
“Witt is a real good bloke, he’s come across from Super League as an older head but he has played a fair bit of first grade NRL all around the world; he’s a good support for when we have questions and a good guy in general.
“It’s really exciting to have the Charity Shield Match in Wollongong; it’s a massive thing to be able to get a home crowd and play against South Sydney, who are the benchmark of the competition alongside the Roosters.
“The match will show us where we’re at with all the work we’ve put in and it will be a good trial to be a part of.”
