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SYDNEY - Bulldogs five-eighth Ben Roberts feels he has lifted his game to a new level with the help of a rugby league legend.
And that could mean bad news for the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland on Sunday but good news for the Kiwis in World Cup year.
The five-test Kiwi, 22, has had one-on-one tutoring from retired Australian test halfback Andrew Johns, who is also assisting the young halves at Parramatta and Newcastle.
"He's rated one of the best players ever - it's a thrill and a buzz and I'm just taking it all on board and making the most of it," Roberts said.
From one of the most gifted ball players in either rugby code it's been full chapter and verse: footwork, how to pass the ball, what lines to run on to the ball and how to read a defence.
Said Roberts: "(Johns) helps us work on our strengths, and my strength is my running game and it's getting better and better.
"I feel I'm getting a lot more confident with every game I play."
Roberts played a significant role in the young Bulldogs' 2-2 start to the National Rugby League (NRL) season: back-to-back wins over South Sydney and Wests Tigers before last weekend's 12-40 loss to bitter rivals the Roosters, who scored five of their seven tries from kicks.
Having slotted in well at five-eighth outside Daniel Holdsworth, Roberts is eyeing the black No 6 jersey rather than his regular halfback spot for the transtasman test in Sydney on May 9, with Benji Marshall sidelined through injury.
"If I played well enough to be picked, six would mean just being able to have more room to run the ball, more time to do things and I guess less pressure with organising the team.
"With the Bulldogs I seem to have the ball in my hands a lot more and it gives me an opportunity to do what I like to do, run the ball."
Sydney-born Roberts said last year's disastrous northern hemisphere tour with the Kiwis wasn't something he'd like to repeat, but it made him stronger as a person and as a player.
He's also bounced back from off-field issues in the off-season.
Last September Roberts had a drink driving conviction quashed, then in February he was bashed outside a Wollongong nightclub along with Bulldogs teammate and compatriot Lee Te Maari, who came to his aid.
Roberts pleaded not guilty in Wollongong Local Court in February on five charges, including resisting a police officer and common assault.
He has come to appreciate how high-profile footballers can be vulnerable in public.
"I've learned that comes with the job. It's just a choice for us, what we do about it. I'm doing something about it now. I've quietened down a bit and just concentrating on footy."
Now for Roberts, Kiwis teammate Sonny Bill Williams and compatriots Te Maari and Tim Winitana, is the Warriors.
Roberts is yet to taste defeat against coach Ivan Cleary's side, having made his NRL debut against them in 2006 then set up the matchwinning try with a stunning break in the return match in Sydney later that season.
The Bulldogs have won their last four visits to Mt Smart Stadium and their last six overall against the Warriors.
"The Warriors are always hard to beat at their home ground and they've won both their games there this year," Roberts said.
"I didn't want to jinx myself on that but I've got a pretty good record against the Warriors so hopefully I can keep that intact."
- NZPA
