Frank-Paul Nuuausala has shed 15 kilograms in the offseason and now wants to shed the tag of Sydney Roosters bench player.

The 22-year-old Kiwi, nicknamed "Frank-Paul the wrecking ball", is in the finest shape of his career after a gruelling offseason where he dropped from 120kg to 105kg by ditching the KFC diet for grilled chicken or steak with salad.

In just his 18th NRL appearance the young prop combined with former Test forward Mark O'Meley to dominate up front as the Roosters upstaged a full-strength Parramatta side 24-6 on Friday night.

Nuuausala received a standing ovation from the SFS crowd when he was rested late in the first half and O'Meley believes his young protege has a big year ahead.

"Frank-Paul has just been waiting. He is fit as and has dropped so much weight. I was so proud watching him tear in," said O'Meley.

"He is only going to get better. He has a big motor. A lot of the Kiwis it takes them a while to get a motor to work a fair bit but Frankie has got it.

"Now he is getting his chance it will be unreal."

It was the type of performance coach Brad Fittler needed after standing down key representative forwards Willie Mason and Nate Myles during the week.

Nuuausala grew up idolising O'Meley, Mason and co but now finds it hard that he himself is getting some attention.

Known as a character among teammates, Nuuausala tried to avoid a post-game interview by saying he was teammate Sia Soliola.

Eventually cornered into talking, Nuuausala said it was the realisation that he was wasting his opportunity at the club that prompted him to get serious about health and fitness.

"I had an injury to my eye socket (last year) and I put a lot of weight on, too much eating the wrong food," said Nuuausala.

"I was trying to fight for my contract.

"This year I've concentrated on getting fit and eating the right food.

"I've worked hard in the offseason and kept off the KFC.

"I love the KFC. I always get fat too when I go back home to New Zealand. I used to came back a few kilos heavier but I know how to eat properly now.

"I've learnt how to cook so now I just eat salads with grilled chicken and steaks."

The only negative to Nuuausala's performance was a grapple tackle on Nathan Hindmarsh in the first half that is likely to attract the attention of the match review committee.

He was otherwise happy with his performance and is determined to keep up the high standard for the rest of 2009.

"I was trying to step up and have some input for the team, instead of just being in background and letting them do the work," he said.

"I had to step it up.

"I definitely want to carry it on for the rest of the year."

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