Wiki to ‘save his words’ at 9s
Ruben Wiki may be one of New Zealand rugby league’s greatest ever leaders, but don’t expect him to be barking out orders when he comes out of retirement at the NRL Auckland Nines next month.
Wiki will be too busy catching his breath as he lines up for the Warriors in the abbreviated form of the game, his comeback to competitive league more than eight years after hanging up his boots.
The former Kiwis captain will swap his regular role as the Warriors’ strength and conditioning coach to line up alongside the players he trains at Eden Park, many of whom weren’t even born when he began his first-grade playing career in 1993.
‘‘Some of these guys are half my age,’’ said Wiki, who turns 44 this Saturday. ‘‘I think it’s exciting for myself to be running around with those young bulls.’’
‘‘I’ll probably be trying to look for oxygen as much as I can. Trying to save my words as much as I can,’’ Wiki said as his comeback was announced.
Wiki, who played a record 55 tests for the Kiwis, has stayed in tremendous shape since playing the last of his 312 first-grade games in 2008, running marathons and half-Ironman events.
Having a dropped a few kilos since his playing days, it is the physical aspect of the sport that will probably provide the biggest hurdle.
The former Canberra and Warriors star gets his first taste of contact training next week but he is excited by the chance to test his body again.
‘‘It’s just different dynamics,’’ Wiki added.
‘‘Dabbling into multi-sports, I had to change my shape, size and mentality to marathon running and the half-Ironman.
‘‘I’ve really enjoyed the challenge that faced me after footy and now I get to play footy again so I have to re-focus and start doing the specific training again.’’
Wiki follows Brad Fittler, Steve Menzies, Braith Anasta and his former Raiders teammates Ken Nagas and Jason Croker who have previously made comebacks at the Nines. Although, like them, his return needs to be rubberstamped by the NRL.
Wiki has been toying with the idea of playing at the Nines for a few years. But with Warriors coach Stephen Kearney on board, he now has the chance to play at Eden Park for the first time.
‘‘I had a discussion with Kenny Nagas a couple of years ago around if you play, I’ll play,’’ Wiki said.
‘‘He ended up playing and I didn’t so he’ll be laughing at me now I’ve got the opportunity.
‘‘I wish it was three years earlier. I’m 44 on Saturday but it’s all good - [age is] just a number.’’
Wiki is familiar with the nines concept, being a member of the New Zealand team which won the Super League World Nines in 1996 and 1997.
Despite his lengthy absence from the game, Kearney has no doubts his old Kiwis teammate will be up for the challenge.
‘‘Rubes didn’t need much convincing. Put it this way, we certainly didn’t have to ask him twice,’’ Kearney said.
‘‘We told all the players this morning and they couldn’t have been more excited.
‘‘While Ruben finished playing quite a few years ago, he has always prided himself in staying in fantastic condition and he’s absolutely jumping out of his skin for this.
‘‘This is a huge thrill for his family and for all of us at the club as well as our members and fans. I can’t wait to see him back out on the field playing in front of a big crowd at Eden Park and I’m sure everyone else will feel the same.’’