South Sydney's Greg Inglis says his injured hip badly needed the week off the Rabbitohs earned with their qualifying win over Manly, ahead of Friday night's preliminary final showdown with the Sydney Roosters.
Inglis angrily slapped his hip when he was run down by Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce in the bitter arch-rival's last clash in round 26, won by the premiers 22-18.
The superstar fullback later admitted he was struggling with a hip injury but said after having a week off, he is refreshed mentally and physically ahead of the foundation clubs' first finals battle since 1938.
"Having the week off keeps you physically fresh and mentally freshens you up too," Inglis said.
"So it has been a blessing in disguise.
"I'm feeling fresh and I know everybody around here (at Souths) is feeling pretty relaxed and we will be ready to go on Friday night.
"The hip is fine. The body is fine."
However Inglis said former NSW playmaker Pearce wasn't given the credit he deserved for the chase.
Pearce also showed his pace in outsprinting the North Queensland cover defence in the world club champions' dramatic 31-30 win last weekend, racing 95m to score after scooping up an errant Michael Morgan kick.
"I was a bit angry at it (the hip)," Inglis said.
"But I don't think anyone gives Pearcey enough credit about how fast he is."
Inglis said the Rabbitohs were not paying attention to the weight of history bearing down on them ahead of the ANZ Stadium clash with the Roosters, as they attempt to qualify for their first grand final since 1971.
"No disrespect to past players, we can't control what has been done in the past, we can only control what will be done from here on in," he said.
"We learnt a lot of things over the last two years and over this year.
"We learnt a hell of a lot against Manly (in the 2013 preliminary final loss) and we just have to take all these lessons on board.
"I think it is enjoyable (to be part of history), there is a great blend of players in both sides."
Share
