They’ll head across the Tasman to take on the Warriors, who suffered their first loss of the season to Brisbane on Saturday, and then return to take on the Roosters in the traditional Anzac Day clash four days later.

A one-point loss to the Roosters in the corresponding clash last year, and an injury to Gareth Widdop, brought a similarly hot start to last season undone.

With a round four trip to Toowoomba to take on the Titans was the club’s only genuine road trip through the first six weeks, so the next fortnight will be a new test according to McGregor.

“[Friday] was the start of a really tough month. We knew that earlier in the year, before the first five weeks,” McGregor said. 

“We go from  [Friday night] to travel on Wednesday into a tough game on Friday, traveling home on Saturday into a game on Wednesday before we get  some sort of recovery.

“You’re talking about a game like [Friday night’s], a derby game, traveling to New Zealand to take on a team that’s been equal first in the competition.Then we’ve got a four-day turnaround, with travel, into the Anzac Day game and everyone knows what they’re about.

“It is a tough month but we started it really well with a win. The boys will have a coupe of days off to enjoy it and we’ll be back in Monday to really knuckle down to get the job done overseas.”