Sydney Roosters skipper Anthony Minichiello says he can’t believe Brad Fittler is making a comeback at the Auckland Nines with the NRL club.
Minichiello played alongside Fittler in his final first-grade game in the 2004 grand final and, while he believed the former Kangaroos captain could make an impact at the tournament, he said he was crazy to try.
“I think he is mad to come back at 42,” Minichiello said on Wednesday.
“But he is training with the squad and he is a naturally gifted athlete, so good luck to him.”
However, Minichiello and Fittler, who played five seasons together at the Roosters, are unlikely to renew their on-field bond with the premiership-winning fullback likely to sit out the Eden Park tournament on February 15 and 16 ahead of the World Club Challenge against Wigan a week later.
Roosters officials met the NRL to discuss Fittler’s comeback earlier this week and are quietly confident of having the move approved by the governing body by the end of this week or early next week.
Regardless, Fittler began training with the entire Roosters first-grade squad on Monday and coach Trent Robinson said he was going well.
“We had to get him in now,” Robinson said at the announcement of a three-year sponsorship with French carmaking giant Peugeot.
“We couldn’t quite wait for the NRL to okay it because it wouldn’t have given him enough time to prepare.
“Freddie is going well so far … it is good to have him around the group.”
Robinson said he hadn’t finalised his Nines squad but that players who didn’t take part in the Auckland Nines would likely play a trial game against Newcastle in Wyong on the same weekend in preparation for the World Club Challenge fixture at Allianz Stadium on February 22.
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