Parramatta Eels centre Kirisome Auva’a is enjoying his time in the new colours.
After a previous stint with the South Sydney Rabbitohs before joining the Blue & Gold in 2017, the premiership winning centre is pleased with his start to the year.
However it wasn’t until Round Six against the Warriors that Auva’a made his Eels club debut, with an injury to Bevan French forcing a reshuffled backline and Auva’a named in the centres.
“So far I am happy with how it has been going in the new club.” Auva’a said.
“A loss in my first game, but the last two weeks have been good.”
“There is always improvements to make in my game, mostly in defence but I just have to keep working on that every week.” Auva’a added.
Auva’a joined the Eels heading into the 2017 season, and it was a past connection with Blue & Gold Head Coach Brad Arthur, and how the side performed during a turbulent 2016 that encouraged the centre to sign with the side.
“I have worked with Brad before in the Under 20s at the Melbourne Storm and I have worked with ‘Madge’ so it’s all similar systems.” Auva’a said of comparing his time with the Rabbitohs to the Eels.
“It was a bit of a factor coming here [knowing Brad previously]. It makes it easier to slot in and considering last year on how well they went, it was a big factor in coming here,” he added.
“Brad hasn’t changed so much, he is still the same as he was back then. He is always angry!” Auva’a joked.
Despite Auva’as strong start to the year, the centre is not getting ahead of himself.
He knows the side is in for a big challenge this Friday night, when they take on the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville which as historically been a tough road trip for the Blue & Gold.
“We have spoke about the Cowboys the last couple of days, we have performed well the last couple of years up there so the big focus this week is on how well we prepare and getting ready for Friday night,” Auva’a said.
“The last few weeks they have been playing good without JT [Johnathan Thurston], but we are just focusing on ourselves and the game plan we have to prepare for."
The Eels take on the North Queensland Cowboys at 1300SMILES Stadium on Friday 28 April in Round Nine of the NRL Telstra Premiership. Kick off is at 7:50pm.
