KEY POINTS:
Stacey Jones will likely take his first steps in his comeback in the Warriors' first pre-season match against the Storm in Hamilton on Thursday night.
Jones played his 238th and last game for the Warriors against Manly in August 2005, scoring the match-winning try with his final touch.
While people won't expect him to score with his first touch on Thursday, there will be considerable interest in his form.
Jones spent two seasons with Les Catalans in the UK Super League in 2006 and 2007 and, apart from a run-around with the All Golds in the Kiwis' buildup to the World Cup, didn't play in 2008. He worked as a kicking coach for the Warriors before he was convinced in November to make a return to the NRL.
Warriors coach Ivan Cleary won't confirm his line-up for the Storm match until later in the week but Jones is expected to play, given he has been named in a 30-man squad of players selected for the match.
"There are still a few factors we have to take into account but we will go into the Melbourne trial with the best side available," Cleary said.
"While there are some players who won't be able to play in this game for various reasons, we'll be taking our entire group of NRL players to Hamilton."
The Warriors are flush with halfbacks, Jones fighting it out with Nathan Fien and Liam Foran for the No 7 jersey and Aaron Heremaia and Isaac John waiting in the wings.
There is also considerable depth at five-eighth, with Joel Moon and Michael Witt the leading contenders but Fien, Daniel O'Regan and Lance Hohaia could also slot in there.
Witt is the only player who definitely won't play against Melbourne, because of a quadriceps injury. Jacob Lillyman is the other major absentee, the former Cowboys second-rower still recovering from shoulder surgery.
A familiar face is expected to be in the Storm side, with Wairangi Koopu likely to make his Melbourne debut after playing 159 games for the Warriors.
The Warriors have two other trials, against the Cowboys at North Harbour Stadium on February 22 and Titans in Lismore on February 28 before their NRL kickoff against the Eels on March 14.
Meanwhile, Celtic Crusaders, packed with Australian imports, made their first appearance in the Super League with a 28-6 loss to champions Leeds yesterday.
The Crusaders, facing the task of converting union-mad Wales to rugby league, were 22-0 down at halftime at a freezing Leeds, before improving in the second term. Leeds were without seven players, including four internationals, while the Crusaders gave debuts to Matty Smith, Ryan O'Hara, Mark Bryant, Adam Peek and Peter Lupton.
Fullback Lee Smith had the distinction of scoring the first try of the 2009 Super League season, finishing off a break by veteran centre Keith Senior after nine minutes.
Scott Donald added a second try before the Crusaders' problems increased in the 20th minute when fullback Tony Duggan's pass was intercepted by winger Ryan Hall who sprinted 30 metres to the line.
Crusaders' Darren Mapp had a try ruled out because of an obstruction by team-mate Jordan James. Leeds then added a fourth try almost immediately through Smith. Captain Kevin Sinfield, playing his first match since the group games of the World Cup in November, kicked three out of four conversions as Leeds led 22-0 at the break.
The Crusaders eventually got on the scoreboard 14 minutes into the second half when winger Luke Dyer raced on to a kick from skipper Jace van Dijk. Josh Hannay added the conversion to cut the deficit to 16 points.
But Leeds added a fifth score in injury time when Carl Ablett went over from close range.
