NRL: Workhorse Asotasi back to lead Bunnies

Roy Asotasi. Photo / Getty Images

Souths captain Roy Asotasi's body is a bit like his heart these days - pretty much healed.

Once an unbendable force who fronted week-in week-out in the NRL, the former Kiwis captain has been no stranger to the treatment room in recent seasons.

Once upon a time Asotasi racked up 74 straight first-grade games. He was also a regular in the Kiwis, playing 24 tests over a five-year period. But two years ago the rigours of playing the toughest position in the toughest game caught up with the 28-year-old.

In the dying seconds of a round 25 match against the Roosters his pectoral muscle tore, the 20-week recovery time ruling him out of the Kiwis' world cup plans.

Last year, a ruptured ACL again ended his season prematurely, killing off his hopes of playing for the Kiwis in the Four Nations.

This season he has already overcome a knee injury and damage to the nerves in a shoulder. It's fair to say Asotasi has been doing it tough. The injuries have been hard to take, although perhaps not quite as hard as watching his Kiwis teammates lift the world cup trophy without him.

"It was heartbreaking, but I guess I've moved on," he said.

"In the game of rugby league you do get injuries and you've just got to wear it. It has been frustrating but everything now is pretty much 100 per cent."

That is great news for Souths but not so great for a Warriors side whose front row appears an area of weakness, particularly without senior prop Sam Rapira.

With Sam Burgess having moved into the front row to partner Asotasi and the giant Dave Taylor in the pack, the Bunnies pack a hefty wallop up front.

Coming off three narrow losses in four matches and with an incredibly tough run in, they will also be desperate to reverse the 26-24 defeat they suffered in Auckland in round 11.

"We understand that we are getting to the business end of the season," Asotasi said.

"We knew we had a tough run but it is something we are looking forward to.

"Everyone will be picking up the intensity. That is something we have probably been lacking over the last couple of years. So if we can keep playing top-eight sides and keep playing at the intensity we have been the last couple of weeks - minus the losses - we will get ourselves ready to have a good run to the finals and actually compete in the finals."

Touted as title contenders after picking up Burgess and Taylor in the off season, the Rabbitohs have flattered to deceive so far this season. Their season is on the line but Asotasi insists there is no more pressure than usual on the side.

"The only pressure is probably the media pressure, talking about the recruitment of Sam Burgess and Dave Taylor. But it is just outside media influences and we try not to let that affect how we play. We understood before the season kicked off it was a whole new side with a new coach and that we needed to gel together.

"We have been playing well, it's just that we haven't been playing smart."

Playing smart is something Asotasi believes the Rabbitohs must do to break down a Warriors defence that has evolved into one of the most effective in the competition.

They will have to do it without one of their main offensive threats, injured hooker Issac Luke. The Kiwis star had been in sublime form prior to dislocating his shoulder in training during Souths' round 17 bye week, however Asotasi insisted Souths weren't dwelling on his absence.

"We haven't lost a game because we haven't had Issac Luke there. If we tackled and played a bit smarter in defence we would have won those games. It's not like we have lost by 20 points.

"But he does play an important role in our side and the sooner he comes back the more confidence we'll get as we try to secure a spot in the top eight."

While wary of the Warriors' defence, the Bunnies also know stopping Manu Vatuvei at both ends of the field is the key to shutting down their offence.

Vatuvei's tendency to take early carries up the middle as the Warriors work out of their own end hasn't escaped the notice of hitman Burgess, setting up the potential for some thunderous collisions.

"I've got no doubt Sammy will be looking for him. Sammy is just one of those guys who doesn't shy away from contact regardless if it is Manu or a little halfback."

Souths' predicament means Asotasi has plenty on his plate so it is hardly surprising he hasn't given a possible return to the Kiwis for the Four Nations much thought. He will, however, be available - if fit.

"My main focus is to stay injury free, enjoy my football and help Souths into the finals. Anything after that would be a bonus."