League: Recruit ready to fill big boots

On the scale of tough acts to follow, there have been more rigorous but Wade McKinnon faces a difficult assignment next season.

His task, and it's not an insignificant one, is trying to fill the boots left by Brent Webb, who plays his final game for the Warriors against the Broncos in Brisbane this afternoon.

It might be a little unfair on a player who will bring his own strengths and style to his new club, but it's inevitable McKinnon will undergo a thorough examination by Warriors fans next season, particularly those ones who lament the loss of the exciting Webb.

It's actually something he's already experienced. When 14,499 fans filed into Mt Smart Stadium six weeks ago, most were there to see if the Warriors could continue their flirtation with the playoffs. But some also took more than a passing interest in who was playing fullback for the Eels.

"If people are going to compare me to Brent Webb, well they can do that," McKinnon says from Sydney. "I knew people would be watching me [against the Warriors] but I don't really let those things get to me. All I can do is my best. Hopefully people will realise that, and that I will be a Warrior."

The capture of the 25-year-old is the most significant Warriors signing for 2007, and he joins relative unknowns Michael Witt, Aidan Kirk, Michael Crockett and Russell and Paora Packer. The newcomers seem to fit the mould the present administration are looking for: talented youngsters who can play a bit but won't rock the boat (Sione Faumuina was the only remaining player who fancied himself as the captain of that particular vessel before he ran aground under the influence of alcohol).

McKinnon knows all about team-mates who gain recognition for all the wrong reasons.

Before the Eels started their incredible nine-game winning streak that came unstuck against the Broncos last weekend, last year's minor premiers lost 10 of their first 13 games.

The turnaround coincided with McKinnon's signing with the Warriors but, perhaps more significantly, it also coincided with players staying off the drink and out of trouble, and the appointment of Jason Taylor as coach.

"It just took a while for us to click to get things back to where we were last year," McKinnon says diplomatically. "There were a lot of disruptions at the start of the year with coaches leaving and players changing and I think we have wiped all that.

"I think JJ [Taylor] has done a great job since taking over. He hasn't changed a lot of things... he's made it a bit more relaxed. The way things are going, I think we are in with a really good chance [of winning the NRL]."

The Eels' chances took something of a hit with last weekend's 23-0 loss to the Broncos and they also haven't been helped by the high number of injuries and suspensions.

McKinnon is looking forward to the playoffs, which start next weekend, but he admits he's had one eye on the Warriors and has had no second thoughts about relocating to Auckland.

"I'm 100 per cent happy and looking forward to it," he says. "I'm excited about moving to another country and I like the style the Warriors play. It will really benefit me next year.

"Since I've signed with the Warriors, I've started to watch their games a bit more. They are all big boys there, not just across the forward pack but also in the backs, and they have a lot of skill. It's one of the main things I really like about the Warriors and it will help my game."

McKinnon will bring his own style to the club. NRL statistics rank him among the best fullbacks - his 19 linebreaks rank him fourth equal in the NRL even though he's played only 18 games (he's equal with Webb) and he leads fullbacks in kick return metres with 1210m, second only to Penrith's Rhys Wesser (1308m), who has played three more games than McKinnon. His 88kg frame helps in this aspect of the game but his weight fluctuated after his mouth came off second best with Matthew Cross' elbow. "I couldn't eat or train," McKinnon remembers of the painful injury that kept him out of the game for a month. "I had to eat mainly milkshakes and soup for two weeks, which meant I lost 7kg."

McKinnon snapped up the chance to meet new coaches Ivan Cleary and Craig Walker the morning after the Eels' tough 20-12 win over the Warriors, and to look around what will be his new home. Fans will inevitably have their own picture of McKinnon - they will get a better chance to assess if the perception matches the reality next season.

Wade McKinnon

Age: 25
Height: 183cm
Weight: 88kg
NRL debut: Souths vs Roosters (2002)
Games: 76 (26 for Souths)
Tries: 24