League: Moon itching to make mark at five-eighth

Joel Moon has spent most of his first grade career at centre. Photo / Brett Phibbs

New recruit Joel Moon is buzzing at getting first go at stamping a claim to the New Zealand Warriors' five-eighth berth for the upcoming National Rugby League campaign.

Moon, 20, made 31 first-grade appearances for Brisbane over the past three years, mostly at centre, and he crossed the Tasman lured by the prospect of moving back to his favourite position.

"Yeah, I like five-eighth the best," he said.

"I played there when I was little. When I got out of school, I started playing in the centres, but I've always wanted to play five-eighth."

The halves has been an area of inconsistency for Warriors since the departure of club legend Stacey Jones for the British Super League at the end of 2005.

However, coach Ivan Cleary this year finds himself with plenty of depth there and with the pleasant problem of deciding whom to pick.

With the returning Jones out of the equation with injury, Cleary has paired Nathan Fien and Moon for the season opener against Parramatta in Auckland on Saturday night.

Fien's selection is little surprise, given his outstanding form for the Kiwis' in their triumphant World Cup campaign last year.

His combination with Moon showed plenty of promise during the pre-season trials, especially in the last-up 34-12 win away to the Gold Coast.

The right-footed Fien and the left-footed Moon together produced a spectacular tally of four 40-20 kicks against the Titans, three of which led to tries.

"We're starting to get along good," Moon said.

"He's a good player and I love running off him. He's a good organiser and that helps with my game."

Moon wasn't fazed with the competition for spots for the No 6 jersey, saying it could only be positive for the Warriors.

"A lot of depth is pretty healthy for the team," he said.

"It's always good to have someone at your back because it makes you play better."

He was satisfied with his personal form so far for the Warriors and was awaiting the clash against the Eels with plenty of anticipation.

"It's the first game and I'm pretty excited," he said.

"I thought I had a pretty good pre-season with the trials and stuff and I can't wait to play."

Against Parramatta, who are under new coach and former Warrior mentor Daniel Anderson, Moon will be up against an unfamiliar five-eighth in Jarryd Hayne.

Wing, fullback and centre have been Hayne's usual positions in the past, but Moon had no doubts his opposite number will have to be policed carefully.

"He's a great player and it's always good to play someone like that," he said.

"I've played against him when he was at fullback and he's always been damaging and someone to watch in the other team."

Meanwhile, Moon wasn't getting caught in the bookmakers' odds, which show the Warriors as favourites to get past the Eels at Mt Smart Stadium and as high as third in the betting for the NRL title.

"It's a long season," he said.

"This is just the first game and there are 26 rounds, so we'll just see how we go."

- NZPA