KEY POINTS:
Veteran rugby league prop Ruben Wiki today rejected suggestions that he wanted an early release from the New Zealand Warriors, saying he wasn't a quitter.
Wiki, who has been hampered by the recurrence of a rib injury, was a late withdrawal from last Sunday's 38-12 National Rugby League defeat to new competition leaders the Sydney Roosters.
He will be back in action this weekend, not for the Warriors, but for feeder club the Auckland Vulcans.
Wiki, who amassed a world record 55 test caps, is just four games short of being the first New Zealander make 300 NRL appearances.
However, a dip in form has led to media speculation that he might depart from the Warriors before his contract expires in October.
The former Kiwis skipper denied that would be the case.
"I'm fulfilling my obligations until the end," he said.
Rather than leaving, he was looking forward to regaining his place in the first-grade side.
"I hope so, I've crossed my fingers," he said.
"I'm not a quitter, so I'll just keep going."
Wiki showed no ill-feeling about having to turn out for the Vulcans, who host Sydney's Western Suburbs at the Mt Smart No 2 field on Saturday.
Instead, he was looking forward to mixing it with some up-and-coming players, with fellow Warriors Wairangi Koopu and Ryan Shortland among his teammates.
"I get to play the game I love," he said.
"It doesn't matter who I play for. I just want to get out there and play some footy and try to get back into the team."
Wiki had 12 seasons with Canberra before joining the Warriors in 2005, becoming their player of the year in his debut season.
He admitted that his form this year for the Auckland-based club, who are back in 13th spot, had been "up and down".
"The team's not going so well and it reflects in individual's performances," he said.
"I just have to dig deep and improve my game and try to do that with the Vulcans."
He refused to blame his rib problem, which surfaced in the defeat away to Penrith two rounds ago,
"I never worry about injuries," he said.
"I've played through injuries before. It's just my bad luck it's come back."
However, Wiki cast doubt over a possible move to England next season for the last two years of his career, something he had spoken about previously.
"We'll see how we go," he said.
Coach Ivan Cleary said the reason behind having Wiki play for the Vulcans, rather than giving him a longer rest, was his lack of recent game time.
Cleary said Wiki had had only about 25 to 30 minutes on the field in the past month.
"I think Ruben would admit his form before that wasn't as good as how he can play," he said.
"Taking that into account, he's nice and fresh now. I just thought it would be better this week if he gets out and plays some minutes."
- NZPA
