NRL: Blake Green, Ata Hingano working together

New NZ Warriors signing Blake Green at Mt Smart Stadium. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Blake Green's arrival at the Warriors was initially seen as a negative for young playmaker Ata Hingano, but the two halves have already been working in tandem rather than against each other at preseason training.

Hingano has spent time recently filling in at halfback alongside Green in the five-eighth role, with star halfback Shaun Johnson managing a niggling injury — although the Kiwis test No 7 is expected to be back running next week.

Coach Stephen Kearney has dismissed concerns over what Green's signing means for 20-year-old Tongan international and expects both players to feature prominently in his plans for the upcoming NRL season.

"Whether it's at five-eighth or halfback, who we see is going to best fit our situation, I can't guarantee how the two senior halves are going to be each week and that made itself pretty obvious last year," Kearney told the Herald. on Sunday.

"Shaun's been carrying a bit of an injury at the moment and Ata's gone in there and been seamless.

"I know he'll learn a lot off Blake which will help his career even more."

After debuting in 2016, Hingano impressed in 13 appearances last season, filling in for both Johnson and former five-eighth Kieran Foran, while injuries forced the club to use five different halves combinations throughout the year.

Hingano's eye-catching form saw the Warriors fend off interest from rival clubs and re-sign him to a three-year deal last June, and he continued to flourish during Tonga's run through to the World Cup semifinals.

Many observers felt he was ready to claim the No 6 role fulltime this season and there was talk he would look to seek a release and a starting spot at another club if he fell down the pecking order.

But Kearney made it a priority to keep Hingano informed of the club's plans to sign Green and has been pleased with his response since the deal was confirmed.

"I rang Ata when he was in camp [with Tonga] because I didn't want him to hear the story second-hand," he said.

"I made him aware of the situation and he respected that.

"And for a young man, I don't think it's ever nice, in that sense, but I had to make what I thought is going to be the best decision for the football club and I see Ata as a huge part of that.

"And what I've seen from him since he got back just before Christmas, he has been fantastic. He has trained with a great attitude so it's great to see."

Green explained all of the Warriors halves have spent time training in both the six and seven roles, to ensure all are familiar with the subtleties and different responsibilities of both positions.

"We've all been working together at training including myself and Shaun, Ata and Mason Lino, doing bits and pieces and playing different roles within the team with how we're going to attack," said Green.

"Everyone will get an opportunity to put their best foot forward at some stage."

He's well aware Hingano is establishing himself as one of the best emerging talents in the NRL.

But Green is willing to share his knowledge and experience with all of the club's younger players.

"If there's anything that I can pass on to those boys or parts of the game that I can explain about how I see it or how I break it down or certain things like that, I'm more than happy to show them.

"I'm a bit of a footy head and we do bits and pieces already after training we get together and pick each other's brains and we learn a bit off each other."