NRL: Wingers Inu and Locke are champing at the bit

Krisnan Inu. Photo / Getty Images

Krisnan Inu doesn't really seem to do angry. Or sad. Or delirious with excitement. Inu does laid back. So relaxed, in fact, it's tempting to check his pulse when you're talking to him.

Could this really be the guy an Australian tabloid claimed was feuding with coach Ivan Cleary (another person not exactly prone to excessive displays of emotion)?

Well, no, as it turns out.

"I'm happy here, I love it here," said Inu, who will make his NRL debut for the club tonight as a replacement for Manu Vatuvei.

Inu admitted he was disappointed to miss out on selection for the first match of the season. Well, who wouldn't be?

"It is always disappointing not to play, especially round one against your old club," he said. "But knowing the way Fish [Glen Fisiiahi] performed in the off-season in the trials, it wasn't that much of a surprise to miss out."

Inu hasn't had to wait long for his chance. He knows he needs a big game but is wary of trying too hard.

"It's obvious that I want to play well and have a big game but I don't want to try to do anything spectacular or out of the way. I just want to play well for the team and not try too hard to do anything too special."

With Fisiiahi ruled out with concussion, Kevin Locke also receives an early chance to re-establish himself. A wonderkid in his breakout 2009 season, Locke is looking to bounce back from an inconsistent second year in the top grade.

Having packed on 3kg of muscle in the off-season, he made a strong impression during the trials.

"I'm feeling pretty good, a lot fitter," he said. "Last year wasn't a good year. It was a pretty average year so I want to turn that around and certainly prove a point.

"This is a chance to prove myself and do well and that's what I am going to do, go out there and put my body on the line. It is a long season and you want to be part of the team.

"The nerves have come back. This is like making another debut, it is a new year."

Still a lightweight winger at 82kg, Locke is giving away 22kg to his opposite, Tigers veteran Lote Tuqiri.

Coach Ivan Cleary was confident his replacement wingers would perform well. "They are two good players ... you could say very keen to do well, which is never a bad thing."