31 Oct 2018

Liverpool FC stars make little impact on Kiwi forward

11:10 am on 31 October 2018

The Kiwis forward Jared Waerea-Hargreaves says it was an honour to practice at the Liverpool Football Club's training facility again today, but admits the significance of some of the local stars was lost on him.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The New Zealanders are preparing for the second rugby league Test against England at Anfield this weekend, having lost the opening game 18-16 in Hull.

It is the third time the Kiwis have been invited to spend the day at Liverpool's Melwood ground.

Waerea-Hargreaves says they performed a haka and got to meet manager Jurgen Klopp and team members, although he wasn't really up to speed with one of their star players.

"Mohamed someone, not too sure of his last name, I'm not really a football follower (Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah), Mo Salah, whose income os quite impressive... all the boys, it was like a magnet, they flocked to him."

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah Photo: PHOTOSPORT

"He came up for some lunch I think, but as soon as he saw all the boys running for him, he tried to get out the back door."

It was Waerea-Hargreaves second trip to Melwood and he says the occasion was great once again.

"To go through it again, to have the access as the only other professional sports team to be invited in is certainly an experience."

"The first thing you notice is the welcoming culture from the manager through to the players and to be able to mix and mingle with them and then perform a haka was a pretty awesome experience to use their facilities."

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Roosters prop says training today certainly reflected the improvements they need after the first Test loss.

"The intensity at training was definitely higher than we've had before, everyone was keen and eager to perform at a high standard today that's for sure, so to be able to perform and train on those facilities was awesome but to also get out a pretty solid session amongst our boys was a tick in the box for sure.

The second Test is at Anfield on Monday morning with the third Test at Leeds a week later.