League: Townsend shapes up for tough encounter with Newcastle enforcer

Chad Townsend hits the weights in a gym session and is looking forward to testing himself against a strong Knights pack tomorrow. Photo / Nick Reed

Chad Townsend is expecting to get up close and personal with Newcastle enforcer Beau Scott when the Warriors take on the Knights in tomorrow's season-opening clash at Hunter Stadium.

The five-eighth understands he is a target for opposition forwards but has put in plenty of work on his tackling technique and is looking forward to testing himself against a strong Knights pack. "Defensively, being a half you get targeted a fair bit and I know this weekend I'll come up against Beau Scott, one of the most aggressive and toughest players in the NRL," Townsend said.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge and getting my body in front and making my tackles and doing my job."

Townsend forged an effective partnership with halfback Shaun Johnson last season but with their finals hopes on the line he was overlooked by coach Andrew McFadden when it came down to the crunch games.

Losing his place to Thomas Leuluai stung but the 24-year-old insists he doesn't have to prove himself in 2015.

"Not really, I've got a point to prove to myself," he said.

"That's the only person I have to please. I have my own expectations and my own way of going for things.

"I know if I walk off the field and I've done my job, there's just a feeling inside.

"And if I walk off knowing I could have done some things better, I know I have to improve and get better for the next week."

With a tough pre-season and some good trial form under his belt, Townsend again finds himself in the No6 jersey, but knows nothing is set in stone.

"Cappy [McFadden] giving me a start this week and playing Thomas at nine does give me a little bit of confidence but I've got a job to do and I've got to go out there and perform each week like everyone else." Off contract at the end of the year, Townsend said he would like to stay in Auckland and denied rumours he has been considering a move back to his former club Cronulla.

"It's all up in the air. I haven't had any talks with Cronulla at this stage.

"I'm very appreciative of what the Warriors have done for me. I don't know where my future lies but if I'm playing well hopefully it takes care of itself," he said.