A well-rested Sam Moa has stepped up to become Sydney Roosters’ forward leader in the absence of the injured Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

Moa’s feats since joining the Tricolours for the 2013 have garnered him a cult following in Bondi and he can build on that if he can lead the Roosters to their second title in three years this season.

Waerea-Hargreaves’ season-ending knee injury suffered two weeks ago was a significant blow to the foundation club’s title hopes. But Moa made a timely return from three weeks out with a wrist injury in last Friday’s record 46-10 win at Brookvale Oval as the Roosters took their winning streak to 11 games.

Moa said the time out with injury has freshened him up ahead of the business end of the season.

“I feel very fresh, I had three weeks out and in terms of being mentally fresh I don’t think I have felt better because it gave me time to recover from playing every game week-in week-out,” Moa said.

“I have had the time to do some (fitness) conditioning and mentally I am in a good state for what comes ahead.”

Moa said he was determined to fill the void left by Waerea-Hargreaves when he learned of the extent of the Kiwi international’s injury.

“It is good to be back,” he said.

“It is unfortunate that Jared is gone, it is a very big loss. But now that shares the responsibility among others and we have to make up for that

“As soon as I knew the scenario wasn’t looking good for Jared I knew that it was a timely return on my behalf and I knew I had to step up and I am going to have to continue to step up as are the rest of the forwards in our team.”