Is the number up for Vodaphone Warriors without Wade McKinnon?

Today I caught up with Steve Price of the Vodafone Warriors – the only NZ-based Rugby League side in the National Rugby League – at the weekly media session. The NRL season kicks off on March 17, and the Warriors could not really ask for a more difficult opening task; away to defending champions Melbourne Storm.

Warriors captain Steve Price said they had a good trial match last week against last year's grand finalists, Manly Sea Eagles, although they were beaten 24–16.

Price said they learnt a few good things from the loss to Manly, but they also have a lot of things that went well. Some of the guys, including Price and former Bronco Brent Tate, had their first hit out of the year, which gave them a chance to work out what the speed of the game will be like and to get their match fitness back up to a suitable level.

On the topic of losing Wade McKinnon, who has had knee reconstruction surgery after sustaining an injury against the Knights on February 16 at North Harbour Stadium, Price said: “Well, he is not going to be there all year, so we have got to get over that.” They have tried several options to take over the vacant position, including Lance Hohaia.