KEY POINTS:
Four weeks ago, Todd Byrne expected he would be sitting in the stands watching the action as the final weeks of his Warriors career played out.
The 29-year-old is in the final throes of a three-year contract and has been released along with hooker George Gatis and centre Tony Martin. Like Martin, Byrne had been playing out his time with the Auckland Lions, not getting a look-in with the likes of Jerome Ropati and Manu Vatuvei performing so well in first grade. Injury to those two, however, has seen Byrne get the chance to finish his Warriors career in the way he had hoped. And he's taking his chances.
The player known as Skinny grabbed a double in last week's tense win over Penrith and scored one and set up the penalty try on Friday night. Admittedly, he did miss a golden opportunity to add another when he failed to ground a first-half chance from a Patrick Ah Van slap-back, but his return is impressive.
"I thought I might be on the sidelines watching the games," Byrne admitted. "I always hoped that if I played well enough in reserve grade and an opportunity came up I would get a shot. That's the thing that drives you when you're in reserve grade. You want to be ready when you get called on."
A return to action has done nothing for his looks, however. As he sat in the dressing room on Friday night after the Warriors' 12-10 loss to the Eels, blood soaked his face from a nasty cut on his eyelid.
"I don't remember it," Byrne said before adding, "I was never going to be a model."
You could say he's been more of a model professional. Friday night's match was his 11th of the season and the 42nd of his Warriors career.
He's coped well when brought back into the side. He's even managed to bring up 100 NRL games in the past month.
"I've really enjoyed my time here," he said. "I was just a beach bum from Sydney. I think I've changed a hell of a lot and I've learnt more in the last year than the rest of my career.
"I've matured and learnt about myself and how to deal with ups and downs. I can't thank the Warriors enough for the opportunity."
He has opportunities to continue his career with a couple of NRL sides in Sydney and UK Super League sides. He fancies a spell in England, but not until after a few more games for the Warriors. Hopefully.
