If there was ever a good time for a season ending injury, 2020’s Covid interrupted season was probably it.  Barker and NSW Gen Blue backrower Ned Slack Smith missed last season following a knee reconstruction but has returned in 2021 as a bigger, stronger and more complete rugby player.  “The rehab all went really well and it gave me plenty of time to spend in the gym,” the Newport Breakers junior told Rugby News.  “We get given a gym program to follow from the Gen Blue coaches so I was able to focus on that. It’s pretty simple, you just need to get the sessions in and keep your nutrition right. “During the offseason when I was going really hard, I was eating six meals a day to try to gain weight. Chicken and rice is probably my favourite, I keep it nice and simple.” Slack Smith has been a standout for Barker through the schoolboy trial period and in the opening two rounds of the 2021 CAS competition. “Things have gone well so far this year, we’ve