Easter rising sealed by Kris
RED-HOT Krisnan Inu says Widnes are ready for Super League’s unforgiving Easter schedule.
The New Zealander touched down for his sixth Vikings try in seven games during their gritty Thursday night win over Salford.
The f ormer Kiwis international has been one of the competition’s star performers this year after switching from Catalans Dragons.
The Vikings have chalked up three wins in those seven matches but have competed in every game – and Inu knows that next weekend could shape their season.
Denis Betts’ side take on local rivals Warrington and St Helens in the space of four days, with squad depth a crucial factor.
Inu said: “Easter can have a big say on your year. It’s early in the season but it feels like a point that can make or break a team.
“It’s not just the scores, it’s injury-wise – I’ve seen a lot of teams in the past lose a lot of players in that weekend.
“It can change how teams kick on after that. We’ll just play our footy, do our best and see what happens.”
The short turnaround has led to criticism from coaches in recent years but Inu has no issue with playing more and training less.
He added: “It feels like I’m at school again - if I was back in school I’d be loving life because it’s extra days off and less work.
“Some boys have an opinion about it but we’ve j just got to do our job.
“It’s just the programme, we have to play through it.
“We’re not the only team playing, the whole league is playing those two quick games.”
Inu’s form has been a major feature of the Vikings’ encouraging start to the campaign after they were widely tipped to finish bottom this year.
The 31-year-old has been a potent threat at right centre following a mixed spell in France that included a brief stint w with Stade Francais RU.
Inu said: “I’m loving it at Widnes, and it helps when the boys around me are doing their job and making my job easier.
“Tries are tries – if anyone asks what rugby league’s about, the forwards do the ugly work and the backs do the pretty stuff.
“I’m just doing the pretty stuff, putting the ball over the line when it’s my time.
“I’m fortunate and blessed that I’ve got a few over the line this year, but I’m not focused on the tries, I just want to play my part.”
The Vikings have already lost once to Good Friday’s opponents Warrington – a 10-18 defeat last month – and Inu knows the ability to win tight contests could determine whether his side end up in the top eight or the Qualifiers.
He added: “We’ve lost a few games that we could have won.
“Thursday against Salford was another game either side could have won but we ended up on the right end of the stick this time.
“We need to turn more of those matches into wins.”