League: New Warrior recruit scores tries for team

Todd Byrne looks back on his try-scoring feats this season with quiet satisfaction. At least, he does when he can remember them. One in particular, against Penrith, is a bit of a mystery after he was knocked out earlier in the match.

Before last night's game against the Rabbitohs, the 26-year-old centre had touched down in each of his seven previous matches, which is a club record ahead of the five in a row Francis Meli scored in 2003.

It was still some way behind claiming the NRL record for tries in consecutive games, which stands at 13 when Rod O'Loan set the mark in 1935 playing for Eastern Suburbs.

Although Byrne's overall record for the season is well behind the Broncos' Shaun Berrigan, who has 11, and Hazem El Masri and Bill Slater, both with nine, his knack for finding the tryline has him easily the most successful Warrior to date.

Byrne's a little coy about getting too carried away - it's not really his way - because he's also mindful of how quickly the tries can dry up.

"In 2003 I had about six tries after seven games but then fell into a drought and didn't get any for the next 10 games," he said before quickly adding, "I hope that won't happen again.

"I remember the tries, except the one against Penrith when I'd been knocked out earlier. My mum said I looked a bit like a zombie because my eyes were all glazed over."

Byrne has made an unfortunate habit of perfecting that glazed-over look this season having also been knocked out against the Cowboys in round two and being on the wrong end of a big hit against the Sharks a fortnight ago. It's nothing to worry about," he adds, trying to downplay the significance. But it's against this backdrop that the former Rooster's try-scoring exploits need tobe considered.

He is, after all, called Skinny Byrne for a reason.

At 189cm and a generous 89kg, he's not one of the beefiest guys to ever grace the NRL but he's managed to use his assets to his advantage. He has good pace, is a determined defender and, as he says, seems to be in the "right place at the right time".

At the moment he's at a Warriors club needing to string a run of wins together to ensure they don't get left behind in the race for the top eight. As a new recruit, his try-scoring feats show he's fitted in well at the Auckland-based club after his summer move from the Roosters.

"The Roosters are a lot more intense," Byrne said when comparing the two clubs. "There is so much glitz and glamour associated with that club, there was more pressure on you to perform. Because it was such a well-performing side, every time you lost you were sure to find yourself in some trouble.

"Here it's also intense in training but the guys are more down to earth. I think I have gone well under Tony Kemp's coaching style, which I like, and he's given me more of a chance to prove what I can do. I think I have found a home here."

Of course, if Byrne keeps finding the tryline, it will be a home he could find himself at for some time.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY