NRL: Packer moving mountains after spell of Vulcan-ology

Injury crisis has forced Russell Packer to the fore for the Warriors. Photo / Getty Images

Circumstance has thrust Russell Packer in at the deep end.

Of the eight props with whom the Warriors began the season, four are now out of action. With Sam Rapira joining Steve Price, Upu Poching and Jacob Lillyman on the sidelines, front row options are now seriously limited.

James Gavet hasn't played an NRL game, leaving a rotation of Jesse Royal, Jeremy Latimore and Packer.

Royal is a steady veteran and Latimore has proved solid enough since joining from Parramatta. But neither is the sort of player who can adequately fill Rapira's boots.

Despite the fact he is still just 20, the daunting job of leading the go-forward game now falls to Packer. A standout at NYC level, Packer is still coming to terms with the demands of first grade.

At times - particularly over the last two weeks - he has looked every inch a genuine NRL-quality starting prop. But at others he has gone missing. For the round six match against Penrith he was dropped, forced to atone for a run of average form and a less than impressive commitment to training by turning out for the Vulcans.

It turned out to be just the spur he needed. When Rapira was carried off two minutes into the second half last week it was Packer who stepped up, providing a series of crunching hits and scoring a bullocking try to help his side turn the match around.

Coach Ivan Clearly hailed Packer's new-found commitment to preparation as the key to his form surge. Packer agreed. "I'd probably not been applying myself as well as I can at training and going into games a little bit under done," he said. "I'm not a good enough player just to turn up and play.

"I've got to work real hard during the week and get myself in the best space to perform at the weekend."

The bumpy road travelled by Packer so far is typical of many players who break into the top grade at a young age. Packer debuted in 2008, aged 18. Last year he was more in the side than out, making 21 appearances. This year he was supposed to be a fixture, backing up the one-two punch of Rapira and Price and filling in as a starter when needed.

But with Price out, more was expected of Packer. The weekly demands of first grade had taken their toll. Even so, being dropped had given him a jolt. "I probably just got a little bit comfortable and that showed in my performances."

That was the message drummed into him by trainer Ruben Wiki.

"He reminded me that it is not so easy and that one minute you can be in and the next minute you can be out," Packer said. "It was probably a bit of an attitude adjustment."