Idris nervous ahead of NRL comeback
Feb 27, 2017 - 12:30 AM He's displayed an air of confidence since arriving at Wests Tigers but Jamal Idris admits he could be a bundle of nerves come Friday.The 26-year-old admitted to some anxiety ahead of his NRL comeback in the round-one blockbuster clash with South Sydney on Friday night.
"Ask me Friday morning. There'll probably be a couple (of nerves)," Idris told reporters on Monday.
"I never get nervous and that's the funny thing.
"I remember the trial game, the week building up to it, everything I did, just thinking about it I was getting sweaty.
"I ran out before the game and my legs were shaking."
Idris is expected to line up in the centres on Friday for his first NRL match in 18 months.
In the midst of an inconsistent career which included NSW State of Origin honours but criticism over his fitness, Idris took a break from the game at the end of the 2015 season while at Penrith to travel.
He said some of his nerves came from the pressure he's putting on himself.
"Beforehand, I always used to be laid back. I ran out there to have fun," he said.
"But I said to myself, and I said it publicly, 'I want to see how good I can be'.
"So that's putting pressure on myself."
For his first NRL game in 700 days against the Rabbitohs, Idris is set to play a full 80 minutes in the spot vacated by Tim Simona, whose rugby league career is under a cloud over a betting scandal.
That's despite being eased back into match conditions in two trial matches, playing a combined 100 minutes.
Idris believes it could be months before he returns to his best, urging patience amid high expectations for the Tigers to push for the finals after narrowly missing out in 2016.
"I've almost had two years off. It's going to take a lot to get back into it. That's going to come over time. It may take five rounds, it may take 10," he said.
"The first three weeks are going to be massive for me. I need to get back in touch with the game."
Tigers teammate Chris Lawrence said it appeared Idris was taking the pressure in his stride after a strong pre-season.
"He's probably not the type of guy who shows if he's having nerves ... he's a very confident guy," Lawrence said.
Source: AAP
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