Canterbury prop Dylan Napa is bracing for a fired-up Sydney Roosters as he gets set to confront his former NRL club for the first time.
After wearing the blue, red and white for the Roosters for six years, the Queensland Origin prop will face off against the Roosters at the SCG on Sunday in what shapes as a pivotal game for two out-of-form sides.
Napa exited Bondi Junction following the club's 2018 premiership win and provided one of the most memorable moments of their post-grand final celebrations when he was pictured still in his playing kit the next day.
Despite Napa's move to Belmore, the Roosters have maintained their status as the team to beat this year and at the season halfway mark are well placed to become the first team in 26 years to win back-to-back titles.
But after three straight losses, the Roosters are in a slump and have slipped to third behind Melbourne and South Sydney.
Despite still missing Luke Keary, Brett Morris and Jake Friend through injury and former front-row partner Jared Waerea-Hargreaves because of suspension, Napa warned they would be hungry to bounce back and remain in the top four.
"The Knights gave them a pretty good touch up, they had a bye and came back and the Panthers had a really good game against them," Napa said.
"They're the reigning premiers for a reason. They have a few injuries but their squad has a lot of depth. They're sitting around the top of the table for a reason."
Napa made a splash when he moved to Canterbury essentially as a replacement for David Klemmer however he said he was keeping a low profile this week.
He insisted the game held no extra meaning for him despite his long-standing emotional bond to the Roosters.
"If you need extra motivation it means you're not putting in," Napa said.
"I try not to throw too much banter because I'm a pretty easy target. I try to stay a bit quiet, especially this year."
Australian Associated Press
