Terry Zarsoff
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Why Manly should be thanking Mal Meninga
By Christian Nicolussi
March 14, 2025 — 5.30am
Tom Trbojevic has credited the confidence he gained from returning to international football with the Kangaroos – and a rare pre-season with no injuries – as the two simple reasons he was able to start the year in blistering fashion for Manly.
Trbojevic was outstanding in the 42-12 win over the Cowboys, and looked like he was genuinely enjoying his football at a packed 4 Pines Park.
every game was like that, when you’re playing on the back of a forward pack rolling down the field, and you get the time and space to do what you want, I’d play until I was 50,” Trbojevic told this masthead.
Trbojevic said he was in a good headspace after he was able to end his six-year absence from the Australian Test team, and helped the Roos to victory over Tonga in the Pacific Championships final.
That allowed him to enjoy his Christmas break, and return to the Sea Eagles in the new year with a focus on football rather than rehabilitating injuries.
Trbojevic suffered a shoulder injury in 2022 and missed the second half of the season, then ruptured his pec midway through the 2023 campaign.
Tom Trbojevic was back to his devastating best for Manly last weekend.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
“When you come back to pre-season training after an injury, you never have any doubts, but you do get a little bit nervous about [how your injury has recovered],” Trbojevic said.
“This year it was different. It was probably the first time since 2021 I was able to finish the year healthy.
“Playing for the Roos definitely gives you confidence. That final against Tonga was unreal. I scored two tries, but should have had another two.
“I thought I played some good games last year, especially at the back end of the season.
“If I don’t play well, people like to blame it on injuries, even if it isn’t entirely true. It was just a really cool way to finish the year.”
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said this week he had noticed Trbojevic grow in confidence with each game, and had become “one of those players automatically selected” in the green and gold when fit. He was hardly shocked to see Trbojevic start the way he did for Manly as
he did against the Cowboys.
“The beauty of Tom is he doesn’t care what position he plays – he could play fullback, left or right wing, left or right centre, or even five-eighth,” Meninga said.
“He’s low maintenance, happy to be in camp, has a great footy IQ, and asks a truckload of questions.”
The Sea Eagles travelled to New Zealand on Tuesday ahead of Friday evening’s clash against the Warriors. Manly mixed up their attack against the Cowboys, including getting back-rower Haumole Olakau’atu hitting the line positioned at centre on a couple of occasions, and even spending a set with Luke Brooks and Daly Cherry-Evans posted on the same side of the field.
Why Manly should be thanking Mal Meninga
By Christian Nicolussi
March 14, 2025 — 5.30am
Tom Trbojevic has credited the confidence he gained from returning to international football with the Kangaroos – and a rare pre-season with no injuries – as the two simple reasons he was able to start the year in blistering fashion for Manly.
Trbojevic was outstanding in the 42-12 win over the Cowboys, and looked like he was genuinely enjoying his football at a packed 4 Pines Park.
every game was like that, when you’re playing on the back of a forward pack rolling down the field, and you get the time and space to do what you want, I’d play until I was 50,” Trbojevic told this masthead.
Trbojevic said he was in a good headspace after he was able to end his six-year absence from the Australian Test team, and helped the Roos to victory over Tonga in the Pacific Championships final.
That allowed him to enjoy his Christmas break, and return to the Sea Eagles in the new year with a focus on football rather than rehabilitating injuries.
Trbojevic suffered a shoulder injury in 2022 and missed the second half of the season, then ruptured his pec midway through the 2023 campaign.
Tom Trbojevic was back to his devastating best for Manly last weekend.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES
“When you come back to pre-season training after an injury, you never have any doubts, but you do get a little bit nervous about [how your injury has recovered],” Trbojevic said.
“This year it was different. It was probably the first time since 2021 I was able to finish the year healthy.
“Playing for the Roos definitely gives you confidence. That final against Tonga was unreal. I scored two tries, but should have had another two.
“I thought I played some good games last year, especially at the back end of the season.
“If I don’t play well, people like to blame it on injuries, even if it isn’t entirely true. It was just a really cool way to finish the year.”
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga said this week he had noticed Trbojevic grow in confidence with each game, and had become “one of those players automatically selected” in the green and gold when fit. He was hardly shocked to see Trbojevic start the way he did for Manly as
he did against the Cowboys.
“The beauty of Tom is he doesn’t care what position he plays – he could play fullback, left or right wing, left or right centre, or even five-eighth,” Meninga said.
“He’s low maintenance, happy to be in camp, has a great footy IQ, and asks a truckload of questions.”
The Sea Eagles travelled to New Zealand on Tuesday ahead of Friday evening’s clash against the Warriors. Manly mixed up their attack against the Cowboys, including getting back-rower Haumole Olakau’atu hitting the line positioned at centre on a couple of occasions, and even spending a set with Luke Brooks and Daly Cherry-Evans posted on the same side of the field.
