Dyldam Parramatta Eels prop Danny Wicks says the challenges of competing against the best, week in week out, and proving yourself in the NRL are what makes playing the game so exciting.
The forward is relishing the opportunity to take on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs forward pack this Friday night (29 April) at ANZ Stadium for the Blue and Gold Round Nine clash.
“They are a big pack that are always pretty physical but that’s what you get excited for, running into a big pack and trying to prove yourself,” Wicks said.
“That’s what we are aiming to do.”
“Whether it is an inform pack, or a big pack, it’s a challenge,” Wicks added.
“Everyone that is playing at this level has a degree of wanting to be the best, or competing against the best so it’s about where you measure up.”
And after facing the incumbent NSW and QLD props last week, in James Tamou and Matt Scott, Wicks was asked about going up against a Bulldogs pack led by captain James Graham.
Despite the calibre of the Bulldogs forward pack, Wicks sees it as just another challenge.
“Last weekend we had a NSW and a QLD prop in front of you, but that’s not to say that James Graham isn’t a bloody good prop,” Wicks said.
“There are a few good props to be honest, but it’s week in week out because every game you come into is a challenge.”
Wicks’ approach to the game is consistent with his preparation.
The Eels came away with a 20-6 victory over the Bulldogs in Round Three, however the forward knows it won’t be that simple this time around.
The prop is prepared for a big challenge.
“At this level, the team that turned up that week [Round Three] won’t be the team that turns up this week. It changes week in, week out,” Wicks said.
“It will be another challenge and we are looking forward to bouncing back after what happened last week.”
“It comes down to making eight errors in the second half,” Wicks added, reflecting on the loss against the Cowboys.
“One or two calls that don’t go our way, if we hold that ball six out of the eight times, it’s a completely different ball game.”
“They got the two points, so we aren’t kicking ourselves too hard but we are reassessing and we need to win this weekend.”
The Eels take on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Friday night, kick off at 7:50pm.
