If there was one question mark lingering over the fitness of the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues, it was surrounding James Roberts - but the debutant centre has assured fans he will be ready to play in the State of Origin series opener.
Roberts sat out of most of the side's first training session at Coogee Oval on Tuesday morning due to an achilles injury sustained in the Broncos' win over the Eels last Thursday. Asked how it would affect his Origin preparation, however, Roberts was optimistic.
"It's just been bothering me all pre-season really, and season so I've just got to monitor it. Short session today," Roberts said. "I'll be sweet.
"It was always part of the plan just to ease into it and slowly get better in the week and do a bit more load."
The opening session was a relaxed one, with significant media attention directed towards the 11 debutants named for Game One. After a day off on Wednesday, the team will return to training on Thursday at the NSWRL's Centre of Excellence Field at Sydney Olympic Park.
