Hugh McGahan: Tommy guns into Friendly fire

Thomas Leuluai.

Opinion

Warriors coach Andrew McFadden has a nice, but uncomfortable headache to deal with after the return from injury of Thomas Leuluai.

His return to first grade in the forwards rather than his more accustomed position of five-eighth is a smart move. It's a chance for him to get back playing in the tough position of hooker to improve his physical condition without over-working his injury because running and kicking out of his preferred position could easily strain the groin he injured at last year's World Cup and set him back further.

It also takes away pressure around what to do with Chad Townsend. It's difficult to see how McFadden could replace a player who is relieving the pressure on halfback Shaun Johnson.

Townsend has given the same balance to the playmaking roles as Leuluai did towards the end of 2013.

Townsend didn't rock my boat when it was announced last year he would be joining the Warriors. His playing time at the Sharks was intermittent and performances mediocre. Now, having been given plenty of game time, he's developed a support game to Johnson. The next few weeks will be a testing time for McFadden in the management of the two players.

The team are developing a cohesion which has transformed them from one of potential to delivering confident performances. The addition of Leuluai won't upset this balance, rather boost the variety of open-play options.

So who should feel the most threatened? Townsend or Nathan Friend? I think Friend is the most vulnerable. Leuluai has more strength in everything he does.

His impact when confronting the tackle, his ball-playing ability around the ruck and kicking game elevates him above Friend.

The incumbent hooker has done nothing wrong but doesn't provide what Leuluai can either off the bench or in the starting line-up.

Asking questions out of the ruck is invaluable and McFadden knows this. But how does he tell one of his more consistent performers that he will need to share his playing duties?

Friend is a tenacious defender but hookers must provide more attacking qualities and this is where he is found wanting. McFadden will be looking at the form of Leuluai, more so than Townsend.

It will be interesting to see how they all respond.