TRAVIS Burns will go into his second season at Hull KR in the best shape he's been for years – thanks to a spot of farming.
The 29-year-old is still a few weeks away from taking part in contact training as he continues to recover from a broken arm and shoulder surgery.
But the stand-off has been busy in the off-season to make sure he's ready to play in the season opener against Leeds.
"I chased a few pigs around my family's farm back home and that's helped me get in great shape," Burns told the Mail.
"This is the best I've felt in years and I'm at my playing weight right now.
"It was well documented that I was carrying a bit of extra weight when I first arrived at the club last year.
"Obviously, I was suspended for the first four matches and that gave me the chance to lose a bit of the excess wait I had put on.
"This year I went back to Australia and made a determined effort to return fit and in good shape."
When he first arrived at Rovers just over a year ago, Burns weighed in at 15st 2lbs, but he's now training at 13st 10lbs after working hard back home in Australia.
It's been a busy end of season for Burns as he recuperates from two big injuries.
Whilst a broken arm in the 36-22 loss at Widnes ended his season prematurely, it did allow him to finally undergo shoulder surgery after playing with the injury for the best part of six months.
Thanks to his efforts and those of the Robins' backroom staff, Burns believes he is in contention to start the season at Craven Park on Sunday, February 16.
"I'm pretty sure I'll be fit for the first game of the season," he added.
"I'm listening to the physios and doing what they tell me to do every day.
"Paul Hatton and Brice Johnson have done a great job with me, but I'm not going to rush it because I want it to be right.
"The shoulder injury was an injury I have been carrying for about six months.
"I knew after I left the KC derby early that I needed surgery, but I managed the injury for the rest of the season.
"I'm ahead of schedule at this stage of pre-season and I want to hit the ground running.
"Hopefully, I should be able to do full contact training after Christmas and then be ready for the Leeds game."
