The nib Newcastle Knights Head Coach, Adam O'Brien, fronted the media this morning as the side prepares to tackle South Sydney tomorrow night at Stadium Australia.
After a tough last start to the Eels, the team have put in a determined training week and are ready to roll the sleeves up on game-day.
The coach named his team on Tuesday with a couple of changes from the Eels game and had a direct message on bouncing back this weekend.
"You just have too," O'Brien said.
"Admittedly, there were was some stuff there that we were extremely disappointed with. We didn't do ourselves any favours with the footy, with our completion rates.
"Certainly your best gauge on whether you're going to bounce back is in your training and I feel like we've had a good training week."
Here. We. Come.
Phoenix Crossland has returned to the line-up and will form an exciting halves partnership with newest signing, Jake Clifford.
Crossland played an instrumental role in the side's win over Manly two rounds ago and will look to revitalise his strong kicking and passing game.
The coach is eager to see his new halves pairing perform with the two boasting similar strengths.
"Based on what Phoenix did against the Manly side the other day, he gives us a really good kick option," O'Brien said.
"That'll only help with Jake (Clifford) who naturally his strength is kicking as well.
"I'm looking forward to seeing that combination."
AOB: Souths preview, halves combination and proudness towards D-Saf
O'Brien also named Kurt Mann at centres with Enari Tuala pushing to the wing in Starford Toa's absence.
"It's not as foreign as what people think (to him)," O'Brien said
"He played a lot there when I was in Melbourne with him.
"The thing about Kurt, the number on his back is irrelevant. He will compete for us, he's a good defender and reads the game well."
After a scintillating start to this year's Origin series, Daniel Saifiti touched back down in Newcastle and is ready to run the side out against the Rabbitohs.
Saifiti notched his first try in the representative arena and was immense in an emphatic NSW victory.
O'Brien couldn't contain how proud he was of his star front-row forward and says he his ready to back-up.
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"He feels ready to go," O'Brien said.
"That's what you want from your Origin players and your leaders. When they're excited to come back and represent their teammates back here and got out and play.
"That's a real badge of honour.
"I was really proud (on his performance)."
