Dyldam Parramatta Eels prop Lee Mossop can breathe a sigh of relief now that he has his first NRL game under his belt for his new club.
Joining the Eels straight off the back of England’s 2013 Rugby League World Cup campaign, Mossop underwent shoulder surgery in the off-season, beginning his recovery in January at Parramatta.
And after being part of the Eels’ 18-16 Round 13 win over the Cowboys, Mossop says time on the training paddock in the first few weeks of the season helped prepare him for his first appearance in the toughest rugby league competition in the world.
“It was great [to finally play],” Mossop said.
“It’s been a long time coming. Obviously I never got off to the best start with coming over and having the shoulder fixed, but that’s all behind me now.”
“I wasn’t able to play for 12 weeks but at the time it let me get a pre-season under my belt: I’ve been flogged for 12 weeks to put it lightly!”
The first appearance in Blue and Gold was a tough welcome to the NRL, with the Cowboys’ starting line-up including Australian front-rowers James Tamou and Matt Scott.
“They definitely hit me hard, but that’s NRL,” Mossop said.
Click through the see the highlights from Friday night's 18-16 win!
