NRL: Roosters hooker Matt McIlwrick has something to prove as he prepares to fill-in for injured captain Jake Friend tonight

ROOSTERS recruit Matt McIlwrick has big shoes to fill when he takes the field for the first time in 2015.

Sydney Roosters hooker Matt McIlwrick at Roosters headquarters in Moore Park.Picture Gregg Porteous

ROOSTERS recruit Matt McIlwrick has big shoes to fill when he takes the field for the first time in 2015.

But the Christchurch-born 23-year-old takes replacing injured captain Jake Friend as hooker in his stride as he prepares for tonight’s season opener against North Queensland in Townsville.

McIlwrick was a surprise addition to the Bondi Junction coop after being released from his Canberra Raiders contract last year.

Jake Friend is expected to miss as many as 10 games to start the NRL season. Picture: Getty Images.

Friend is expected to miss as much as 10 weeks after shoulder surgery, and McIlwrick is banking on a successful tricolours debut to cement a spot in the side.

“I have got a great opportunity there to hopefully look after Friendy’s spot at the start of the year, and since moving here he (Friend) has helped me out a lot,” McIlwrick said.

“He tells me where I am going wrong. It has helped my hooker role immensely.

“My game has improved so much since I moved here.

“I am just looking to look after his spot for the mean time and hopefully, after that secure a spot on the bench when he returns.”

The former junior Kiwi international was shocked by the winning culture at the club, particularly the mentorship of senior players.