FOUR months of frustration relieved in one barnstorming try scoring run!
If the sight of Atelea Vea back on the field on Friday brought welcome relief to the Saints faithful then imagine how it must have felt for the second rower who had endured four months on the sidelines.
After suffering significant shoulder damage back at Hull KR in March the long road to recovery has been an arduous one for the former London Bronco.
But now ‘Til’ is back and Wembley is a massive draw.
“It had been a long time and I was chuffed to get on the field and get the win out of the way,” he said. “It’s been frustrating watching the boys but I really enjoyed being back out there and playing footy again with my mates.
“I have to admit I was nervous but I did everything I could with my rehab to minimise that. Physio Nathan Mill and his staff did a great job and they helped to clear up a lot of the nerves and anything else I could have been worried about.
“I was still going to be nervous running into the big front rowers but it went well.
“The coach didn’t make it complicated for me either and that made a difference. I just had to do what I do best and in the end it was an enjoyable game. We threw the ball around, played end to end footy and controlled it when we needed to.
“And I got a try!”
Til’s return coincides with Saints most important game of the season – a Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Semi Final with Leeds at the Halliwell Jones Stadium this Friday (8pm).
“It is a massive game. You can feel it, it is exciting and the mood is lifting around the place. I watched the Challenge Cup back home in Australia but didn’t really appreciate it until I came over here and got to see a Final first hand.
“It is a big event and to be in a position where I could be running out and playing Leeds – when the chance of making the Final – is something I am looking forward to.
“I’m looking forward to testing myself. They have a great pack but I’d back my forwards every day of the week.”
