Jerry Seuseu Straining At The
Leash

Refreshed after a two-week sabbatical, Jerry Seuseu is itching to resume National Rugby League (NRL) duty for the New Zealand Warriors as attention starts to turn to the trans-Tasman test on July 25.

Seuseu is considered a certainty to face the Kangaroos at Aussie Stadium but was making no assumptions after a club-enforced stand-down to allow his body to recuperate from the rigours of a long year that included a NRL grand final and a tough Kiwis tour of Great Britain and France.

"It's always in the back of your mind but the main thing is to build as a team (Warriors). If we can take care of that, the higher honours will come."

A pivotal member of the Warriors pack, Seuseu was rested for the wins against Canberra and South Sydney and agrees the break was justified.

"I enjoyed it immensely, giving the muscles a rest and getting rid of the niggles, but I love to play and be with the boys."

Seuseu was excused training for the first week and escaped Auckland with his family for a break on Waiheke Island.

He was then promptly back in the gym and counting down until tomorrow night's match against North Queensland at Townsville's Dairy Farmers Stadium.

There he will be up against fellow Kiwis prop Paul Rauhihi, who is also hoping to use the match to push his claims for a test berth before new national coach Daniel Anderson.

The duo were the starting front rowers in the Kiwis' test matches last year but face competition from the Roosters' Jason Cayless and possibly his older brother Nathan if the former Kiwis captain could return in time from an arm injury.

Seuseu was looking forward to getting reaquainted with Rauhihi and the former Bulldogs reserve is also primed for a big game, realising his test prospects could hinge on an impressive showing against many of his Kiwis team-mates.

"You'll always have more chance playing in front of the test coach,I guess, and to be playing a lot of guys most likely to be in the side is a good test," Rauhihi said.

"I'm sure he (Anderson) will look at it and hopefully I can impress.

"If you can stand up and be counted against Jerry it can't be bad. He's right up there with the top class frontrowers in the competition along with the (Brisbane's Shane) Webckes.

Rauhihi, the NRL's leading offloader this season, debuted against Australia last year and was a fixture on the tour of Great Britain and France under then coach Gary Freeman.

However, he is taking nothing for granted under the new regime.

"When there's a change of coach there's a change of ideas as well. Certain coaches look for certain things, I'm not too sure what his ideas are."

Rauhihi will find out soon enough, with Anderson keen to catch up with him after the game.

"He's playing good football and I'll have a chat," said Anderson, before donning his Warriors cap and adding: "If he doesn't play I won't mind though, he's a big thing."