Elijah Taylor is sure Micheal Luck’s NRL return for the New Zealand Warriors will be a huge boost on Saturday, but is a little less sure about possibly having to fill in at hooker himself.
Luck’s return after a variety of injuries should add steel and organisation to a defence which has been a little generous at times to its opponents while he’s been away.
But Luck’s addition to the bench and an injury to Alehana Mara in Monday’s win over Penrith means only one hooker, Lewis Brown, has been chosen in the Warriors’ 17-man squad for Saturday’s game against the Cronulla Sharks.
The Warriors are considering adding Pita Godinet to the 17, at the expense of one of the three forwards currently accompanying Luck on the bench, but the other option is having second-rower Taylor deputise Brown if needed.
“It’s a tough gig, but hey, it’s a challenge and it’s another arrow to my bow I can use,” Taylor said.
“I’ve played there a couple of times for the under 20s back in 2010. If I’m told to go there I’ll do my job and I’ll do it to the best of my ability.”
Taylor has been one of the Warriors’ best defenders in Luck’s absence and he’s looking forward to the Queenslander’s return.
“When the games are on the line he’s someone to look to to direct the ship. He knows the game inside out and he knows what’s required at the time.”
McClennan says a good effort is important as the team heads towards a bye the following week but says it won’t be easy against the Sharks, who sit in sixth place.
“They’ve recruited experienced people and they’ve obviously got a really good culture,” he said.
They’re a pretty tough side and they’re going really well, so we’ve got a real tough job on our hands, but we’re also excited by that.”