NRL: Price has two front-row seats

Warriors prop Russell Packer values Steve Price's advice. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Steve Price isn't running out at prop for the Warriors in Newcastle tomorrow but his presence will be keenly felt by those who are in the front row.

"He's always got an eye on us and if he thinks there is something I can work on, somewhere where I can improve my game he'll take me to the video room or the computer," said Sam Rapira. "He must be doing something right to get where he has."

The 35-year-old Aussie is an inspiration to Rapira, 22, and fellow frontrower Russell Packer, just 19, as they forge careers in the toughest position in the toughest league competition in the world.

Rapira, who played all 26 games in 2007, was one of just three players to appear in every game in 2008 - the others Simon Mannering and Micheal Luck - then went to the World Cup with the Kiwis.

Consistency in performance is one of his primary goals. "I want to keep working well week in and week out for the Warriors. That's something Steve helps with."

One of Packer's coaches once asked him whether he wanted to be a professional footballer or whether he aimed to be president of the Foxton Mongrel Mob. With his size he could have done either but the look in his eye is hard, rather than mean.

The comment related to his manner and speech. In just a few months fronting the fans and media the 19-year-old has matured remarkably and is a keen observer and analyst of the game. "That was a good performance by me personally and also by the team [against Souths]. We should have won. We dominated the ball and we had the weight of possession. We got to their line four times but we couldn't get over, there were tiny misses in execution.

"In another game we might have scored from all those chances."

Packer came on to the NRL scene in 2008, after two years in the development programme. He was scouted from the Central Falcons Bartercard Cup team where he was playing against men by age 16.

He shifted to the Warriors' house at Pakuranga then to a flat with Rapira. He played 20 games for the new Toyota Cup under-20s side last season and solid and consistent performances saw him elevated to make his NRL debut mid-season. He came off the bench last year for five games and this season has started all four.

"It's a big challenge stepping up this year but I feel I'm doing the job and so is Sammy. With Pricey out we have to. It's good to know that we can get the job done." He explains Price's off-field input. "He's always giving advice. He emphasises doing little extra bits in training and preparation, extra ball work, extra stretches, and I take all that on board."

He hasn't known any working life bar the Warriors so remaining in league as long as possible is the goal. "I'll be doing all right if I'm still around at 35. He told me to control the things that I can control and that's my aim," Packer said.

Rapira also feels the team stepped up against Souths and is happy both starting props made well over 100m ground gain.

"The effort was there, they scrambled and scrambled and stopped us. It was frustrating," he said of not being able to score versus Souths, "but we have learned from that and in a way it has given us some confidence. If we are in the same situation again I'd back us to score, you know that everyone around you is going to do their bit for you."

Both are tough, determined, capable. They both have good speed and good ball skills for front rowers.

RUSSELL PACKER

* Born on October 9, 1989 Levin.
* Junior club: Levin Lions.
* 188cm, 111kg prop.
* Played Bartercard Cup for Central Falcons at age 16.
* 2006 Junior Kiwis captain, NZ U18s 2007.
* NRL debut for the Warriors v Canberra at Mt Smart, R10 2008. Nine games, two tries.

SAM RAPIRA

* Born on April 8, 1987 Hamilton.
* Junior club: Hukanui
* 184cm, 107kg prop.
* Played Bartercard Cup for Waicoa Bay.
* 2004/05 Junior Kiwi
* NRL debut for the Warriors v Wests at Mt Smart, R11 2006.
* 67 games, seven tries.
* 11 tests for the Kiwis 2007-on.