NRL Social: Cheers to the long weekend

Whether it was tennis, cricket or lawn bowls, NRL players have shown they are true all-rounders before the serious stuff on the football field next month.

Banter between the players has also been another highly competitive "sport" on social media channels over the summer months.

Here's a selection of some of the highlights from the past week on the NRL social media scene.

 Love, Set, Fed

Sunday night was sports heaven for Nathan Peats. The Gold Coast Titans hooker took to Twitter to show his support for Roger Federer who was going for his 20^th grand slam, which he won.

Peats's old pal, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles forward Darcy Lussick however wasn't that impressed with his former Parramatta Eels teammate's form, happily bagging him for all to see.

Peats, along with the rest of the world, also shed a tear during Federer's winning speech. What a night it was.

You can scoot it put your back into it

And while some were having a laugh over the long weekend, poor Roosters halfback Luke Keary was on the receiving end of it. New teammate James Tedesco captured this priceless video and shared it on his Instagram account and it quickly went viral. And while we're not quite sure what's funnier, Keary falling or Teddy's laugh, we just hope Luke's scooter ambitions haven't been derailed!

Man of the people

He may not have won Australian of the Year but it didn't stop Jonathan Thurston celebrating, and as he should. JT posted this beautiful photo of him and his wife, Samantha, at Government House in Canberra - great to see they had a stellar time in the nation's capital.

Crichton's Australia Day message

And after Thurston also sparked a national debate about Australia Day, South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Angus Crichton tweeted a heartfelt message to his followers. He has always made a conscious effort to acknowledge the indigenous community, tweeting "Have fun and stay safe in this great country that we all call home, but respect our history".

All Blacks skipper's Warriors boost

Across the ditch, we couldn't help but notice a sight set to excite new Warriors fans – All Blacks captain Kieran Read visited the team during their pre-season camp in Papamoa. The World Cup champion most notably shared his insights on mental health in sport – a must-watch.

Road tripping

While many of us are still in a Christmas coma, the Parramatta Eels are making us all feel lazy. Tim Mannah posted this photo of the team during their own pre-season camp in Shelly Beach in the Central Coast. Ever run a sand dune? Just don't.

And Clint Gutherson shared this photo of the boys getting in some, well, beach recovery.

Saturdays are for the boys (and bowls)

Gutho was no doubt ready to swap sand for grass when he got together with mates for a game of cricket. He informed NRL.com his team won on the day but admits he's not as skilled with the bat as he is with a football in his hands.

Wade Graham enjoyed his long weekend with barefoot bowls with friends and teammates. The Cronulla Sharks second-rower no doubt enjoyed the gentle nature of this sport compared to the club's hectic pre-season training program. 

Daddy daycare

Penrith Panthers winger Josh Mansour only had one thing on his mind – his new baby daughter, Siana.

But it was this photo of the Sauce and Nathan Cleary that got the boys talking in the comments section!

"Hates a shirt" wrote Michael Morgan.

Bryce Cartwright was also quick to bag the duo, saying "Is this the pic you were raving about?" with Corey Harawira-Naera replying that Mansour and Cleary "Came into the physio room carrying on". Mansour had the last laugh however, replying to both with "Fished out the haters!!!!!"

Keep up the banter, boys!

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