Rugby League Players

Rugby League Players


Wiki back on field after injury
The Press Saturday, 30 June 2007

Ruben Wiki gave his lungs a decent workout bellowing instructions from the sideline during the New Zealand Warriors' welcome return to form in the National Rugby League (NRL).
But the former Kiwis captain realises actions must now speak louder than words from tonight on the Gold Coast as he returns to fill the void left by an inspirational Steve Price.

Wiki has missed the Warriors' form resurgence with a rib injury, experiencing a mixture of pleasure and pain as the Warriors strung together morale-boosting wins over the Cronulla Sharks and Penrith Panthers after a run of six losses.

"The last couple of weeks have been awesome, now I'm strapped up and ready to go," the 277-match prop said.
"Against Penrith I couldn't sit down. I lost my voice giving instructions to the trainers to give to the boys."

The messages must have got through as the Warriors turned on a sublime performance in difficult conditions to drub the Panthers 54-14 last week at Mount Smart Stadium.

That would usually give a squad cause for confidence ahead of a two-match Queensland road trip though the topsy-turvy nature of the competition ensures there can be no cause for complacency. The Warriors also have an uninspiring record of two away wins from six trans-Tasman outings.

Wiki leads the side in their first match against the Gold Coast Titans at Carrara Stadium (7.30pm) and is wary of the newcomers although they have lost the services of bullocking prop Luke Bailey – absent like Price due to State of Origin commitments – and workaholic second-rower Anthony Laffranchi (knee).
"They've been going really well. We'll need to maintain our momentum to challenge them but our shape has been really awesome," Wiki said.

"The extra passing (offloading) to the backs is working now. Nathan (Fien) and George (Gatis) are doing the damage around the ruck."
The much scrutinised halves pairing of Grant Rovelli and Michael Witt has also enjoyed a smoother ride behind a dominant pack over the past fortnight, though the stand-off acknowledged the fickle nature of the game.

"Our partnership has been slowly progressing since the start of the year and over the last few weeks things have clicked a little bit for us.
"I don't think the pressure's lifted on us, though.

"There's always pressure on you; they're two pivotal positions in any team. If you're going well you get a few wraps, if the team isn't going well you've got to take the criticism as well," said Witt, who scored 18 points against the Panthers with a brace of tries and a perfect six-from-six with the boot.
Witt may have had a dream ride last week on the back of incisions made by Rovelli, Gatis and Fien but he faces an ominous assignment today to help curb the influence of Titans' skipper Scott Prince.
The premiership-winning halfback with West Tigers in 2005 has been a catalyst for the Titans climbing to fourth on the ladder – six spots ahead of the Warriors though only four points separate them.
"It's a pity he can't find a spot in the Queensland team," Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said. "He's one of those guys people pay to watch, he troubles every team and he's going to do some things in the game you can't stop too easily."

Gold Coast's hopes of cementing a top-four spot have been dealt a further blow with a shoulder injury forcing Kiwi international Jake Webster to withdraw from tonight's clash.

Coach John Cartwright said it was likely Smith Samau would replace Webster, who jarred his left shoulder against Newcastle last weekend.
Samau trained strongly yesterday. –NZPA