Key duo on track for Warriors
They won’t feature in this week’s first trial against Melbourne but there was positive news coming out of the Warriors around two of their most important players.
Coach Stephen Kearney revealed injured duo Issac Luke and Blake Green were on track to take the field in the NRL season-opener against the Bulldogs at Mt Smart Stadium on March 16.
Veteran hooker Luke is coming off shoulder surgery which reportedly led to Newcastle withdrawing their offer during his protracted contract negotiations last year.
At the time it was feared Luke, who signed a one-year extension with the Warriors, could miss the start of the season but Kearney has been encouraged by the 31-year-old’s progress.
‘‘He’s tracking along nicely. Providing the next couple of weeks are good to him he should be OK for round one,’’ Kearney said.
Green is on the mend from a hamstring strain he suffered in training a few weeks ago.
The injury was not considered serious and he was always likely to be available for the Bulldogs clash.
But Kearney was hopeful the 32-year-old playmaker will be ready to take part in next week’s trial against Wests Tigers in Whangarei.
‘‘His running has improved every day,’’ Kearney said. ‘‘He was up and running not long after he put a slight strain in [his hamstring], which was a good sign.’’
Green’s injury has opened the door for halves Adam Keighran, Chanel Harris-tevita and Hayze Perham to step up at training and the young trio have the perfect opportunity to put their hard work into practice against the Storm in Geelong on Friday night.
Kearney said the idea was to give all three players equal time in the halves as he looks to settle on a partner for Green following the release of former star Shaun Johnson.