Target of taking centre stage
where he selects Hiku, the 25-year-old will be up to the task.
‘‘He’s just a really intelligent footballer,’’ Kearney said.
‘‘You only have to tell him once and he understands what it is – sometimes he figures it out by himself out on the paddock.
‘‘Those players are few and far between nowadays. We sort of make these athletes with not a great deal of thinking for them whereas Peta is a thinking footballer.’’
Despite starring for the under20s during his first stint at Mt Smart, the Warriors’ failure to offer Hiku a contract in 2012 saw the Sea Eagles swoop in for his services.
Hiku enjoyed an impressive start to his NRL career at Manly. He crossed for 28 tries throughout his three years at the club and was a key member of the Kiwis’ 2014 Four Nations triumph.
He moved to Penrith in 2016, however injuries prevented him from achieving the same success and he left for Warrington midway through last season.
Having been granted an early release from the Super League club, Hiku is relishing being back in Auckland and feels the squad has come together well over the pre-season.
‘‘I was hoping to return [to the Warriors] but I didn’t think I’d be back this soon,’’ Hiku said. ‘‘Tohu Harris has come from a successful club, so has Adam Blair, so hopefully the boys can all pull it together during the season.’’