A depleted Manly forward pack will ready itself for an onslaught from former Sea Eagle Jared Waerea-Hargreaves when they face the Sydney Roosters on Sunday.

Already reeling from the loss of co-captains Jason King (suspension) and Jamie Lyon (hamstring), as well as second-rower Shane Rodney (shoulder), the Sea Eagles now have to deal with the fearsome Roosters enforcer.

Waerea-Hargreaves, who debuted for the Sea Eagles in 2009 before being lured to Bondi Junction, has earned a reputation as one of the competition's most feared forwards - and Manly know better than most what he is capable of.

In two seasons at Manly, the 22-year-old Kiwi international ruffled plenty of feathers with his aggressive attitude to training.

"His first training session here he roughed up (former Manly forward) Josh Perry ... It didn't go down too well," Manly five-eighth Kieran Foran explained.

"He definitely knew how to unsettle a few players at training.

"He trains how he plays ... that's what's good about him.

"He's the sort of player that will want to come out and prove a point against us.

"He's very physical ... we're definitely expecting him (to unsettle us)."

With King sidelined after accepting a one-match ban for leading with the knee, Brent Kite will take on the role as the leader of the forward pack.

Kite, who described Waerea-Hargreaves as "borderline" mad, said it was essential the club quickly forgot about their opening round loss to Melbourne.

"It's not the best start but it's only round one and we're not going to get too bogged down by the result," he said.

"I think we can bounce back this week."

Coach Des Hasler said it was too early to write the Sea Eagles off despite the difficult start.

"It's been a tough (start) ... we've got a few injuries," Hasler explained.

"It's a long season and there's a lot of footy to be played ... We'll overcome all these obstacles."

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