Ruben Wiki missed last night's match but hopes to be back for the playoffs. Photo / Brett Phibbs
When Ruben Wiki trudged back into the dressing room after the Warriors last weekend confirmed their place in the playoffs, a contented grin was fixed on his face.
The 34-year-old warhorse had been desperate to taste finals football again ever since he arrived at Mt Smart Stadium in
2005 and his wish has now been granted.
But the grin faded a little when he again touched off the rib injury which is now threatening his Warriors dream.
Wiki missed last night's match against Penrith but is expected back for the playoffs.
He played in 10 finals series in 12 years at Canberra, winning a title in 1994, but has had two lean years with the Warriors.
"I felt it was going to happen at the Warriors because of the talent we've got here but it's been a bit up and down in the last couple of years," Wiki said. "It's now up to us to make the most of it."
Wiki admits he probably didn't make the most of Canberra's success early in his career, considering he won a title in his second season as a 21-year-old. Since those heady days of 1994, he's been chasing that same feeling.
"It didn't really hit me until three days later that I had won a grand final but I could see what it meant to guys like Mal Meninga and Laurie Daley," he said.
"To win it is huge. As you get older and you know what it's all about, you want it more."
Wiki's had a frustrating season, particularly at the start when he was troubled by his painful rib injury.
But he has no intention of hanging up the boots before his contract expires at the end of next season.
He's sure to be quizzed by some younger team-mates who haven't been to the Promised Land and he has some salient advice waiting.
"Enjoy it," he said earnestly, "but don't get caught up in it because it's draining. It saps you. The next thing you know, it's all over and you might only have one chance at it. The intensity picks up [from a regular season game] and it's about keeping composure.
"But I think we have a good balance of young and old - these guys are not rookies any more."
