Friend strides towards new contract
New Zealand Warriors hooker Nathan Friend is playing himself into a new contract with the NRL club after some outstanding performances in recent weeks.
The 34-year-old is on a one-year deal in Auckland and with Issac Luke coming next year, some felt this would be his last season with the Warriors.
However, since Thomas Leuluai suffered a season-ending knee injury a few weeks ago, Friend has taken over the mantle of being the first choice No9.
His performances have belied his age – and been noticed by management – while Friend’s made it clear to coach Andrew McFadden that he’s not looking to retire just yet.
‘‘I’ve had the desire from the start of the year to play one more year,’’ Friend said. ‘‘I spoke to Cappy [McFadden] at the start of the year and told him I feel I’ve got one more year in me before I hang up the boots.
‘‘Nothing has changed from that point of view.’’
Friend said he hadn’t been in negotiations with McFadden since the season started, but a smile emerged on his face as he spoke.
Like the end of last season, when Friend was the first choice hooker, he is running with the ball more than he did earlier in his career. It’s something McFadden wanted him to bring to his game, along with his defending and distributing of the ball.
‘‘I think it coincides with the way our forward pack is going really,’’ Friend said.
‘‘I wouldn’t be able to run if we had slow play of the ball, but the big guys around me have been great for us.
‘‘It started with Ken [Maumalo] and Manu [Vatuvei] and we just try to carry on off the back of that and get some good go forward.
‘‘The boys are fighting to play the ball and allowing me to have some room around the ruck.’’
Friend believes he can get through 80 minutes, even though Siliva Havili is regularly on the interchange bench to back him up. And while he’s relishing more minutes, he always prepares for games in the same way.
‘‘I always prepare the same, no matter whether I’m coming off the bench or not,’’ he said. ‘‘I work back from the start of the game and when I think I may inject myself.
‘‘I go through the same regime every week, I go through the opposition. The only difference is I’m getting more game time coming my way.
‘‘The more game time you get, the more opportunities you get and I just need to keep my eyes up and take them, which is what I’m trying to do.
As for Saturday’s game against the Canberra Raiders at Mt Smart Stadium, Friend said the Warriors will need to keep a close watch on Blake Austin and Sam Williams.
‘‘They’ve got some crafty halves that can do anything and they control the game really well,’’ he said.