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Together they can boast more than 1000 top grade games, 60 Tests and 50 Origin appearances, but come this weekend, it’ll be a case of first day on the job for a batch of former NRL stars.
Danny Buderus, Jason Ryles, Brett Hodgson and former Manly pair Steve Menzies and Steve Bell are amongst a host of Australians lining up for their initial taste of the English Super League this weekend.
While the season officially got underway with two matches last week, all 14 teams will be in action this time around starting on Friday night (2000 GMT) when Buderus makes his Leeds debut against Wakefield.
Also on Friday night Warrington travel to hoodoo-side St Helens to take on a Saints side featuring former Penrith stalwart Tony Puletua.
The Wolves have beaten the Saints just once in their last 33 matches.
“It’s a huge game to start the season and one all of the guys are really looking forward to,” Wolves halfback and former Manly playmaker Michael Monaghan said.
“The supporters keep reminding us about our record against St Helens and it’s one we want to improve quickly.”
Manly legend Menzies will play his first game for Bradford when the Bulls host Hull KR, while there will be Australians aplenty both on the field and in the stands when French club Catalans take on Huddersfield.
Former Wests Tigers fullback Hodgson will captain Huddersfield in his first game for the club while the Dragons will have Ryles and Bell in their starting 13.
In the stands the two coaches will also look to make the perfect start to their Super League career with Nathan Brown in charge of the Giants and Kevin Walters the Dragons.
Having coached Ryles during all six of his seasons at St George Illawarra, Brown said he had a fair idea of what he was going up against.
“He (Ryles) is a quality player, and so is Steve Bell at centre,” Brown told English reporters.
“They have probably got a stronger squad than they had last year. They have got a new coach and a new halfback (Shane Perry), plus we haven’t been able to watch any footage of them as they had a couple of pre-season games cancelled.
“Brett (Hodgson) is very tough, smart and offers a lot of direction to us.
“All things equal, if he can stay fit and his family settles over here, he can be one of the top players in the league.”
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