Hiku’s versatility key for Warriors
Peta Hiku has embraced his ‘Mr Fix-it’ role at the Warriors as he prepares for a third positional switch in as many games against Manly.
With the Warriors’ spine hit by a number of withdrawals in recent weeks, Hiku’s versatility has been crucial.
The regular centre played at fullback during last month’s win over the Eels before shifting to the halves the following week against South Sydney.
And with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ruled out of today’s match in Christchurch due to a ankle injury, Hiku is again set to drop back to the No 1 role.
The uncertainty could be difficult for some players to deal with but Hiku has taken it all in his stride.
Even after a tough night filling in for Shaun Johnson and Mason Lino against the Rabbitohs, who rolled to a 30-10 victory, the experience hasn’t turned the 25-year-old off returning there in the future if needed.
‘‘I just treat it like every other week. I come to training and go wherever they need me to train,’’ Hiku told Stuff.
‘‘Between the two positions, fullback and centre, they’re positions I’ve grown up playing so I don’t mind chopping and changing between the two. When it comes to halfback, it puts a lot more pressure on me and I need to do some more studying on the position. But if I had to go back there no doubt I’d give it a hundred per cent.’’
There is plenty on the line for both teams this weekend as the Warriors look to avoid back-tolosses for the first time in 2018, while the 13th-placed Sea Eagles need a win to stay in touch with the top eight.
It’s been a challenging season off the field for the Sea Eagles. It began with the club receiving a hefty fine for salary cap breaches followed by reports that talented utility Jackson Hastings had fallen out with teammates.
But Manly have a long history of thriving under adversity which Hiku, who spent the first three years of his career at the club, knows all about.
‘‘They always find a way,’’ Hiku said. ‘‘There’s always been that thing where everyone hates Manly and Manly hates everyone else. So they work for their own little community and don’t need to please anyone but themselves.
‘‘There’s no doubt it’s not going to be an easy game.’’
Manly may be coming off consecutive defeats but prior to that they showed evidence of that siege mentality with impressive victories in Brisbane and Melbourne.
And they have no shortage of danger men capable of exposing any poor Warriors’ defence, headed by halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.
‘‘He was always a big influence on the side when I was there,’’ Hiku added.
‘‘He controlled the team very well and he’s a got a great kicking game so we need to take that away from him.
‘‘They’ve got a massive forward pack who will come out ready to take it to us and we’re expecting the same.’’