Green says his hamstring ‘nothing to worry about’
Senior Warriors playmaker Blake Green insists his hamstring injury is “nothing to worry about” but he is no certainty to play in their upcoming NRL trials.
The 32-year-old five-eighth pulled up lame during a ballwork session earlier this week but expects he will resume training with the side in the next two to three weeks.
“No it’s not a big concern. I just strained my hammy,” said Green.
“It’s week 14 of pre-season and I just picked it up on Tuesday morning when we did a skills session.
“It’s nothing to worry about. Two or three weeks and I’ll be back out there, I reckon.”
Green dismissed suggestions the injury could rule him out of the Warriors season opening clash against the Canterbury Bulldogs on March 15.
The 139-game veteran was not expected to play in the Warriors first trial hit-out against Melbourne in Geelong on February 22 but is hopeful of being cleared to face Wests Tigers in their second and final warm-up game in Whangarei on March 2.
“I’m not sure yet, I haven’t put a time limit on it,” he said. “It’s not a big concern.”
Green might be surprised by the level of concern over his hamstring but his status as the club’s most experienced playmaker means his fitness will be under heavy scrutiny throughout the season.
Following the controversial offseason departure of Kiwis test No 7 Shaun Johnson to Cronulla, Green is expected to lead the Warriors attack alongside one of the club’s young halves.
Former Penrith and Canterbury rookie
Adam Keighran, 21, and teenage Junior
Kiwis playmaker
Chanel HarrisTavita, 19, are the leading contenders to slot in alongside him. Both have plenty of potential but are yet to be tested in first grade and Green’s long-term health will be pivotal to the side’s title hopes. Warriors assistant coach and Maori All-Stars head coach Stacey Jones said Green’s injury was not a concern and believes his absence from training means the younger duo have more opportunity to find their feet. The pair opposed each other at training yesterday with Green shadowing them and offering tips, advice, and encouragement from the back-field.
“It’s just precautionary,” said Jones. “When players his age go through a lot of the preseason it’s tough on their bodies.
“When players like that pull up a little bit tight in certain areas you’ve got to give them a bit of a rest. “Obviously when you have a key player not involved in training you’ve got to throw someone in there and it gives an opportunity for the other young halves to step up.” Jones will take four Warriors — Adam Blair, Tohu Harris, Gerard Beale and Peta Hiku — into camp with the Maori side on Sunday, ahead of their clash against the Australian Indigenous All-Stars in Melbourne on February 15.