A SHIRTLESS Daryl Millard still bears the scars of a horror NRL season.

Standing at WIN Stadium after a Fijian training session in preparation for Saturday's clash with France, Millard has the telltale marks on his shoulders to remind him of surgery.

It seemed everything went wrong for Millard both on and off the field in 2008.

His pre-season with the Bulldogs was cut short when he was forced to undergo a shoulder reconstruction. He had another enforced lay-off early in the season with a knee injury.

Millard wound up playing NSW Cup as the Dogs lost their last eight NRL games to finish with the wooden spoon.

And then there was his mate Sonny Bill Williams walking out on the club mid-season to play French rugby union.

"Yeah, it was a tough year," Millard said.

"I missed a large chunk through injury and I was in reserve grade for a bit.

"There were a fair few (Bulldogs) players injured this year and a fair few other things happened, as has been well documented.

"But I've been waiting to play for Fiji for a long time."

And with that, a broad smile appears on his face, for the World Cup campaign with Fiji marks a fresh dawn for Millard.

The Bati have become a close-knit group during the camp, as shown when the squad huddled together to pray at the back of WIN Stadium after yesterday's training session.

Also lifting Millard's spirits is the prospect of playing alongside the Bulldogs' new recruits including veteran halfback Brett Kimmorley, prop Ben Hannant, hooker Michael Ennis and centre Josh Morris next year.

"I'd like to kick things off with a good World Cup campaign," he said.

"I feel like I can play well now and then have a good off-season with training and that by February-March I can be in the best shape of my career.

"So hopefully it will be a good year for me."

Millard was yesterday named in a talented Fijian backline, which also includes Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne at fullback, Newcastle's Wes Naiqama and Bulldogs youngster Aaron Groom.

The French suffered a blow yesterday with scans revealing hooker Julien Rinaldi suffered a fractured cheekbone in the victory over Scotland in Canberra on Sunday.

Rinaldi will miss the rest of the tournament, with former Illawarra Steelers player James Wynne replacing him in the starting line-up.