Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic is the latest player to offer praise in the use of a coach whisperer after revealing his work with Joe Wehbe in recent years has been a catalyst for his positive return to the field from a hamstring injury.
Trbojevic mentioned Wehbe when speaking to the media following his man-of-the-match effort against the Dragons on Sunday, just hours before he was picked in the centres for NSW in Origin II in Perth.
Wehbe is well known in the sporting ranks for offering his services to NRL coaches and clubs, while he's also extended out to some of the game's elite including Blues fullback James Tedesco and Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans in preparing their state of mind on a regular basis.
"I've seen a lot of him lately and he's helped me be myself on the field," Trbojevic said.
"He's one of the most honest guys you'll ever meet and when I go out there it helps me just be me and play freely.
"He gives me advice personally and brings me back down to earth. I've played footy my whole life and I've never worried about it. It's no different here [after the hamstring injury, that kind of sums [Wehbe's work] up.
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"I have a lot of people in my corner that I'm thankful for. The rehab people have worked hard to get my hammy right. It helps me get on the field and play footy."
Trbojevic put his hamstring to the ultimate test with a 75-metre long range effort for a try on Sunday and indicated everything went well after a modest performance a week earlier in his comeback game against the Cowboys in Townsville.
"I think what gets you is you can move around pretty well but you can never feel when it's right," Trbojevic said.
"I felt like I could've played probably five weeks ago but it's just not quite ready. That's the thing, you feel like you're ready but just need to give it time.
"I think anyone going through a hammy injury will tell you the same. You feel good but then you extend and it's not too great.
"I think last week I didn't have the best game, I wasn't hesitant with my hammy but rather just being out there. I wasn't attacking like I should be and made a few errors. I haven't had any issues with it so it's good."
Trbojevic will join NSW camp on Sunday night before the team flies out to Perth on Monday morning.