Third-time lucky for fully-fit Taylor

After two false starts to Elijah Taylor's first-grade career with the Vodafone Warriors, the 20-year-old is making 2011 his year.
Born and bred in Taranaki, Taylor moved to the Far North in 2003 to live with his father in Herekino and attended Kaitaia College.
"It was some family land in the wop wops - there was nothing there and we didn't even have electricity," he laughs.
In his younger teenage years, Taylor played rugby union for Northland under-15s, but made the switch to league in 2007.
"I saw pathways with rugby league and opportunities I would not necessarily get playing other sports - you get flown to Oz every two weeks, stay in hotels, you are on TV, get paid for playing ... it would be silly to turn down an opportunity like that," he said.
After switching to league, Taylor moved to Auckland to attend the renowned national championship-winning school, St Pauls College.
He played with the Warriors development team for a season before featuring regularly for the Junior Warriors in 2008.
Taylor captained the Juniors in 2009, and was set for a first-grade debut halfway through the season, but misfortune hit him hard.
"I did a hamstring at a training session which was pretty gutting," he said.
Following his recovery, Taylor started pre-season training with the Warriors last year and was all set to make his NRL debut - when disaster struck again. Taylor pulled up short after tearing his Anterior Cruciate Ligament.
"I was really disappointed ... it took a knee reconstruction and five-and-a-half months of rehab before I could play again. I did manage to play the last six games of the season for the Junior Warriors, including the final - so that was something."
Taylor skippered the Junior Warriors for the NYC Toyota Cup grand final, which they won over South Sydney 42-26, securing the Warriors club its first ever premiership title since its inception in 1995.
Regular skipper Ben Henry was forced to withdraw from the final on game day due to injury, so Taylor was handed the captaincy reins.
"It was a great learning experience ... in fact the whole week leading up to the game was awesome - we had so much support from all over the country."
Taylor - who can play centre, standoff or at his preferred position lock - is hoping he can put his footy career back on track.
With plenty to prove this year, Taylor made a solid start in the two trial games in Greymouth against the Newcastle Knights, who drew with the Warriors 22-22, and in Rotorua against Parramatta Eels. The Warriors won 24-4 - and are hoping to repeat the victory when they rematch in round one of the NRL season on March 12.
"I played a lot of minutes in both games and played well ... I'm a year behind where I wanted to be now - I made a lot of goals that I wasn't able to achieve. This year will be good for making up lost time," Taylor said.
Taylor will join the Warriors squad in their third trial game against Queensland Cup side the Burleigh Bears tomorrow evening at Whangarei's Toll Stadium.
They then play Manly Sea Eagles next Saturday at North Harbour Stadium, concluding their pre-season build up.
"We have definitely worked hard as a team. We have heaps of depth and the competition for positions is really high in first grade."
The Vodafone Warriors play the Burleigh Bears at 5pm tomorrow at Toll Stadium, after the Vodafone Junior Warriors play Otahuhu Leopards in the curtain raiser, at 3pm.
Tickets available from Ticket Direct (www.ticketdirect.co.nz or 0800 4 TICKET) and Toll Stadium reception. Grandstand: $15, Adult: $10, Child or Terraces and Embankment: $10 Adult, $5 Child.
Former Warriors captain Monty Betham and player Wairangi Koopu are coming to Whangarei for the Vodafone Warriors' first ever appearance in the town. They will be at Legends Sports Bar on Vine Street for a pre-game promotion, from 12pm.