It was a tough call, but one Sebastian Kris knew he had to make. And it's paid off in spades.
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The 21-year-old's not only healthy again, but he's earned himself a spot in the Canberra Raiders' starting line-up. As well as an upgrade to fill the final spot on the 30-man roster.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart named Kris in the centres on Tuesday after they decided to take their time ensuring Jarrod Croker's shoulder was ready before thrusting him back into NRL action.
The Canberra co-captain will miss the round-one clash against the Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium on Sunday.
Kris has also been upgraded from a train-and-trial contract after impressing during the pre-season and the Green Machine's trial against the Sydney Roosters.
It caps a remarkable comeback, having missed the entire 2020 season on extended sick leave.
He'll form a left-edge combination with winger Jordan Rapana, with Croker to be a week-to-week proposition as he continues to come back from shoulder surgery.
Kris decided to step back from football in the final year of his Raiders contract. Talk about a tough call.
He was thankful for his family's support as he got himself mentally right.
"It's hard to pinpoint. I was just feeling not myself. I just thought I'd take a step back from everything and just rebuild those blocks," Kris told The Canberra Times.
"Just a few things off field, as well as on field. I just needed a break for 12 months, just mentally.
"I've come back stronger and felt better than ever really. It's given me a lot of strength mentally and physically to push myself.
"It was [tough], but I just got to a point where I needed to look after me.
"I knew as long as I could get myself right I can do whatever - whether that was footy or something else off the field.
"I just knew I needed to fix myself and I could go from there.
"I feel great, the head is clear and I've got one goal in mind. I know what I need to do."
MORE RAIDERS NEWS
Kris was also thankful for the Raiders' support.
He said it showed they took mental health seriously.
"It is a very big part of the game. Not only is it physical during the game, you're under mental duress as well," Kris said.
"That can translate to off field as well. It's just about getting your life right and your head right so you can perform at an elite level."
As expected, Hudson Young will join Elliott Whitehead in the second row, while Stuart has opted for Siliva Havili on the bench as back-up for Josh Hodgson.
As revealed by The Canberra Times, Ryan James will return from two knee reconstructions to play his first NRL game since 2019 off the bench.
Dunamis Lui and Ryan Sutton have kept Emre Guler out of the 17.
Kris didn't experience the new six-again rules last year, but felt it was something he could adapt to.
"That's one thing I wasn't sure how that would play out, but I've been working hard on my fitness this year and I tell you what I felt it [in the trial]," he said.
"It was something new to react to, just to process that, and having to keep defending, especially through that six again.
"But it's something I think I can get my head around and work through."
While he's spent a lot of his time in the NRL on the left wing, Bailey Simonsson's got a chance to lock down a spot on the Raiders' right this year.
He's spent the pre-season forming a combination with Curtis Scott after overcoming shoulder surgery and they had the first half of the trial against the Roosters to bed that down.
They'll need to stop ex-Raider Joey Leilua, who will play his first game at Canberra Stadium since switching to the Tigers ahead of the 2020 season.
Leilua's set to team up with his brother and Wests second-rower Luciano.
Given Simonsson and Scott were only 23, the former hoped they could create a long-term partnership on the right edge for the Green Machine.
"We've had a good opportunity this pre-season to build a little combination there and we're both young so hopefully we can build something good for the future there," Simonsson said.
NRL ROUND ONE
Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers at Canberra Stadium, 4.05pm.
Raiders team: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Sebastian Kris, 4. Curtis Scott, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (c), 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Ryan Sutton, 16. Sia Soliola, 17. Ryan James. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams, 19. Tom Starling, 20. Emre Guler, 21. Harley Smith-Shields.
Tigers team: 1. Daine Laurie, 2. David Nofoaluma, 3. James Roberts, 4. Joseph Leilua, 5. AJ Kepaoa, 6. Moses Mbye, 7. Luke Brooks, 8. James Tamou (c), 9. Jacob Liddle, 10. Joe Ofahengaue, 11. Luke Garner, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Alex Twal. Interchange: 14. Tommy Talau, 15. Thomas Mikaele, 16. Stefano Utoikamanu, 17. Russell Packer. Reserves: 18. Jock Madden, 19. Michael Chee Kam, 20. Tuki Simpkins, 21. Alex Seyfarth.
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