How Kokoda trek gave Roosters deeper ANZAC Day meaning

“When we got to the top, I put my bag down and looked back at the track and reflected, knowing that the ANZACs who walked before us did it to save our country".

After walking the Kokoda Track in December, ANZAC Day means more than a ceremony for Naufahu Whyte and his Sydney Roosters team-mates - it became a lived experience.

Ahead of their annual ANZAC Day match against St George Illawarra at Allianz Stadium, the Roosters have drawn on their experience walking the Kokoda Track to strengthen team camaraderie and mateship.

"It was tougher than I expected," Roosters captain James Tedesco said. "We were up at 5am every morning, started walking at 6am and ended at 4pm or 5pm each day.

"It was 12 hours each day walking up and down steep terrain. There weren't really any flat spots, so it was very demanding on the body ... but just learning about the history ... I didn't really know much about the Kokoda Trail before."

The Kokoda Track is a 96km trail through the Owen Stanley Range where Australian soldiers fought from July to November 1942 to prevent invading Japanese forces pushing south to Australia. 

It is also where the close bond between Australia and Papua New Guinea, who will have their own NRL team from 2028, was forged.  

About 625 Australian servicemen were killed and more than 1,600 wounded, but the casualties would have been much higher without the help of Papua New Guineans living along the track, who carried stretchers through inhospitable terrain and tended to the injured or sick, often while fighting raged around them.

Each of the 12 Roosters who endured the gruelling seven-day track in Papua New Guinea was given the name of an ANZAC soldier who fought at Kokoda to learn about.

“We had to learn about their mateship, understanding what they sacrificed and what they went through during the war, to protect Australia”, Tedesco told Nine.

"ANZAC Day is a very significant day for all Australians and New Zealanders and it's a privilege for us to go there and play a game of footy."

Former Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans, who has joined the Roosters this season, said the stories of camaraderie and sacrifice resonated with the players.

“The Australian way was to look after your mate”, Cherry-Evans said.

“It was physically and mentally challenging, and then to continually remind yourself that the ANZACs were fighting in a war while doing that same trip, it was hard to comprehend."

Whyte believes that the senior players who experienced the Kokoda Track have strengthened their bond and it is a connection that has now permeated through the wider squad, ahead of the ANZAC Day clash against the Dragons.

"To hear about the heroes who walked before us and the reason why Australia stands here today, it was special - especially with the boys that we went with as well, the leadership boys," Whyte said.

"We came out with a stronger bond and I know all of the boys will be keen to go after it this Saturday and get the job done. We want to pay our respects with the way we play footy."

The NRL’s ANZAC Round serves as a symbolic commemoration, allowing the rugby league community to honour the sacrifice and service of Australian current and ex-service men and women.

With Allianz Stadium regularly selling out for the ANZAC Day match, Roosters and Dragons players are eager to put their best foot forward in the knowledge they are representing more than just their team.