HOMECOMING HAWK: Two blues half Scott Rosser is hoping to guide Hawks around the park in just his second game back from a stint in France. Photo: STEVE GOSCH 0617sgleague5
THE sunny, picturesque south of France or the brutally cold sled-dog weather Orange turned on yesterday; it’s really a no-brainer.
You’d take frog legs and berets every time.
Lucky for Orange Hawks Scott Rosser is fond of his home town.
The Bloomfield Tigers junior has returned to the country after playing with Lescure in the French Elite 1 competition over the Australian summer in time to help rescue Orange Hawks’ Group 10 premier league campaign.
The 21-year-old halfback played his last game for Lescure back in April, just when the two blues were kicking off their 2012 Group 10 comeback with a 43-6 loss to derby rivals CYMS at Wade Park.
Things haven’t really improved either.
But Rosser’s return, along with that of two blues zip-zip man Joe Lasagavibau, in last weekend’s 38-10 loss to Lithgow signalled the return of the flair the team had been lacking over the opening seven weeks of the competition.
Rosser said he enjoyed his time in France’s Midi-Pyranees region.
It was the experience of a lifetime.
But he is now ready to help lead Hawks back to the top of Group 10 starting with the Cowra Magpies at Wade Park tomorrow.
“It’s tough over there. It was very physical and we only won the one game,” Rosser said. “It was tough getting hammered every week but it was a good experience.
“It’s good to be back. Hopefully we can get a few good wins under our belts over the next couple of weeks and sneak into the finals.”
Playing in the under 18s competition with Hawks in 2008, Rosser was picked up by the St George-Illawarra Dragons to play in the club’s Toyota Cup outfit.
He played in the halves with the Dragons for two years before landing a deal in France.
The young gun has played plenty of top-flight footy.
But last week’s Lithgow clash was just Rosser’s first taste of Group 10 premier league football.
He said while still learning, he was confident of contributing to the cause.
“I’ll probably just look to guide the team around the park a bit and get a good kick in at the end of each set,” he said.
“We just really need to turn up and play for each other. It comes down to defence and having a good attitude with our defence.”
At full strength, Rosser will link in the halves with Hawks captain-coach James Wynne, himself a former player in France.
Lasagavibau is also shaping up as a threat chiming in from fullback.
“For sure. [Lasagavibau] got our man-of-the-match last weekend. He is a really good attacking player,” Rosser said.
“We’ve trained really well this week so I’m looking forward to it.”