KEY POINTS:
The Warriors are putting a brave face on the loss of star fullback Wade McKinnon to a season-ending knee injury but bookmakers have moved swiftly to ease their odds of capturing a first NRL title.
What had seemed a routine strain suffered in Friday night's pre-season encounter with Newcastle was yesterday revealed as much more serious, with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament ruling the Warriors' most potent gamebreaker out for the season.
Australian bookmaker Centrebet reacted swiftly to the news, easing the Warriors from $14 to $17. The bookmaker also slashed the odds of the Warriors picking up the wooden spoon from $31 to $26.
McKinnon's absence will mean either Patrick Ah Van - who was less than convincing in deputising for McKinnon in two matches last season - or untested rookie Aiden Kirk will likely fill the role.
Kirk, who is yet to make his NRL debut, spent last season playing at fullback for the Auckland Lions in the NSW Premier League, while the departed Todd Byrne was preferred to Ah Van when McKinnon was absent later in the season.
Another possibility would be positional "nomad" Lance Hohaia, although that looks an outside chance at best.
McKinnon's injury-enforced absence in round eight last season was the catalyst for a six-game losing streak. The club won just one of the four matches Mckinnon missed in 2007 but coach Ivan Cleary was yesterday confident he could plug the gaping hole left by the cantankerous fullback's absence.
"It's a real blow, you can't hide that, but these things happen," Cleary said.
"We're going to have to get used to it and find a way to move on without him, which I'm sure we will."
"It's an opportunity for guys like [Kirk and Ah Van] and we've got a lot of faith in them," he said.
"We don't see any reason why someone can't fill the breach and do well."
Other possibilities would also be explored, with the start of the season still 3 1/2 weeks away, he said.
"It gives us a little bit of time to work out the best possible combinations. There might be a few different ones through the year."
McKinnon received the injury midway through the first half at North Harbour Stadium, when he was attempting to kick a loose ball.
Club doctor John Mayhew said that, at the time of the match and during the medical check the following day, the problem didn't appear serious.
The initial assessment was that McKinnon would be back on the field again in three or four weeks, but yesterday's scans told a different story.
Mayhew said knee specialist Barry Tietjens would operate next week on McKinnon, who faces six to nine months of rehabilitation.
"It's not a particularly painful injury physically, but psychologically it's incredibly painful," Mayhew said.
New Warriors recruit Brent Tate suffered a similar injury when representing Queensland last July.
Tate is expected to make his return to action next week in the Warriors' final trial match against Manly on the Sunshine Coast.
Mayhew said McKinnon, who was spending the next few days in Sydney, was obviously upset.
"But he's very determined to get the right treatment, have the operation and get back as quickly as possible," he said.
McKinnon joined the Warriors from Parramatta, having played 77 games for South Sydney and the Eels since his first-grade debut in 2002.
He added 22 matches last year, leaving him on 99 and on target to make his 100th NRL appearance in the Warriors' season-opening game away to defending champions Melbourne on March 17.
- NZPA
