“I think having this little bit time off might have given him some time to think about that,” Watson said.

“You just have to watch the footy for one minute to see what he brings. There’s an intensity he plays with, the way he runs the ball, the way he defends, the energy he brings – I’m glad I’m not tackling him any more.

“I used to come out of games against Penrith, when he came on, he was the hardest bloke to tackle. It will be good to play behind him when he’s making those sort of runs.”

Part of the appeal about joining the Roosters for Leniu was to play with Waerea-Hargreaves. The Kiwi veteran missed last weekend’s win over Brisbane because of a calf complaint and did not train on Tuesday, but is expected to play on Sunday.

Centre Joey Manu said of Waerea-Hargreaves’ absence: “Jared always has a few days off, especially early in the week – the back end of the week he’s firing and trying to take people’s heads off at training.

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“He’ll be right. We’re at home, Allianz, 300 games for the club, he will want to play. It will be good.

“It will be good for Spence. Jared has been the top front-rower for over a decade now. To watch him do his thing at training, those two on the field together will be pretty cool.”

As for Leniu keeping his emotions in check, Manu said: “There are a few boys on the team that really like to play on the edge. It’s good for us. You need someone who pushes that boundary. He’s all energy. He obviously got it wrong last time. We just want him out on the field.”

Meanwhile, Roosters players welcomed news David Fifita was in the club’s sights as he weighs up lucrative offers from the Bondi club and premiers Penrith.

Manu said the club was well stocked for back-rowers, but Fifita was a huge attacking threat, while Watson recalled being terrorised on an edge on more than one occasion when going up against the “absolute beast” and Queensland Origin representative.

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