Palu looking to hit hard against Fiji
The biggest player in the Fijian Warriors side better watch out - Waratahs enforcer Wycliff Palu is coming for you.
The NSW No.8 ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in April last year, forcing him to miss NSW's finals charge and the Wallabies' Test season.
As he prepares to make his comeback against Fiji in a trial match on Friday night, Palu says there's only one way to eliminate any lingering doubts in his mind over the strength of his knee.
"I think I've just got to go out and throw myself in the deep end, get the ball and run at the biggest bloke and see how I go," said Palu.
"That's what I'll be doing, trying to get my hands on the ball as early as possible and after the first one I'll be sweet."
Palu said sitting on the sidelines while the Waratahs and Wallabies went through their respective ups and downs was torturous.
There's no doubt the 119kg lock is an x-factor for NSW and an important part of Robbie Deans' plans for the World Cup.
The 28-year-old said the injury has allowed him to become stronger than ever in the gym and anxious for the expanded Super Rugby season to commence.
"It gets a bit boring when you're just training and you don't get to play at the end of the week but that's changing this weekend," he said.
"The body's feeling good, the knee's fine, I've just got to get used to copping hits and I'll probably cop a caning against the Fijians so it'll be good.
"I was able to work a lot more in the gym and in the past I haven't been very strong. Hopefully I'll play 60 minutes (against Fiji) but I might only last 10!
"It was very tough (being injured), especially when you watch the boys have some hard losses it makes you want to be out there. It's tough but you can't really do much and now I've got a chance to try and contribute to the team this year."
Palu said his World Cup ambitions also start at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday night, although he's wary of thinking too far ahead.
"I just want to get myself back to where I was before I got injured and I'm pretty confident if I do that everything else will look after itself," he said.
"I haven't really thought about the World Cup but it's in the back of my mind all the time.
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