Prop ace Aki Seiuli admits Dragons are itching to get back on home soil and in front of the Rodney Parade faithful – as a wait of over 200 days ends next Saturday afternoon.
The Men of Gwent face Ospreys a week today (Saturday, September 30) as a lengthy pre-season – due to the Rugby World Cup – and over six months away from Newport comes to an end.
Seiuli is keen to see Dai Flanagan’s men use the two friendly fixtures – the team also travel West to tackle Scarlets in early October – to build vital momentum.
Dragons will kick-off the new BKT United Rugby Championship season against Edinburgh on Saturday, October 21.
And Seiuli has called on Dragons to really make home advantage count this campaign.
“We’re all excited about the friendlies and keen to play now. The boys have been preparing well, it’s been a long pre-season, and we are ready to go,” said the 30-year-old.
“We only have a few players missing with the World Cup, we are close to full strength, so we want to utilise that and make the most of these next few friendly games.
“It’s about having consistency this season and building throughout.
“A good start is what we are all pushing for, what we are reaching for, and what we need to do if we want to achieve something.
“It’ll be great to get back home after so long,” he added.
“The fans at Rodney (Parade) are always awesome, the 16th player in our team, and it’s been a long time now for them to wait.
“It’s crucial we enjoy playing every game there, embrace the atmosphere.
“It’s a huge positive for us when we have them behind us, so let’s make the most of it and get some victories early on.”
Seiuli will this season see competition for places up front intensity with the recruitment of Argentina international loosehead Rodrigo Martinez.
But as he prepares for a third season at Rodney Parade, Seiuli is taking it all in his stride.
“It’s always good to have healthy competition and with players like Rhodri (Jones) and Rodrigo (Martinez) we have that at loosehead,” he said.
“I’ve no issues - I’m looking forward to it. It’s another challenge for me to face.
“Rodrigo is an international and will bring his strengths to the club, and I’m sure we will help each other out.
“Competition goes a long way, and I do believe we have that across all positions in this group.”
Reflecting on the long summer, Seiuli is quick to pick a big personal highlight.
“It was a surreal experience playing for the Barbarians,” he smiled.
“It’s always been a goal of mine to play for them since I was 18, so to finally tick that off, after hearing so many stories, was special for me.
“I had the chance to play a few years back, when I was in New Zealand, but I got injured so missed out. It was good to get it done.
“It was everything I expected it to be, I made some great friends, enjoyed the game, and playing against my country (Samoa) was obviously very special for me.”
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We’re all excited about the friendlies and keen to play now. The boys have been preparing well, it’s been a long pre-season, and we are ready to go...
