NRL: Wait almost over for captain Mannering

Simon Mannering. Photo / Getty Images

There'll be a few nerves and Simon Mannering knows he'll be puffing a bit on his return to the National Rugby League (NRL), but he can't wait to end the delayed start to his captaincy of the New Zealand Warriors.

Having missed all three trial matches and the 24-18 loss to Gold Coast last weekend because of a niggling hamstring complaint, Mannering has finally been given the all clear to lead the Warriors against Cronulla tomorrow night.

"I'm fit to play and that's all that matters," he said.

"I'm sure the lungs will be burning a bit for the first run of the year. I might need a rest at some stage of the game, but there's plenty of firepower on the bench to come on and do the job."

Mannering's inclusion adds some much needed experience to a pack without Steve Price, Jacob Lillyman and Ian Henderson, all sidelined with injury.

Although just 23, making him the youngest skipper in the Warriors' history, the centre-turned-second rower has 100 first-grade appearances and 19 test caps to his name.

He was handed the captaincy in a surprise decision by the Warriors last November, replacing Price, who had led the side since his move from the Bulldogs before the 2005 season.

The change was one of a number made by the club after a disappointing year, which they began as title contenders and ended third from bottom.

The quietly spoken Mannering said there was sure to be a few nerves approaching kick-off, but he was feeling excited rather than burdened by the added responsibility.

"It's almost extra motivation when you know that you're leading the team," he said.

"The best way to do that is to play the best you can."

The Warriors' clash with Cronulla involves two sides seen by bookmakers as probable also-rans come the business end of the season.

Nevertheless, both went close to toppling more fancied opposition in round one, with the Sharks going down 14-10 against defending premiers Melbourne, despite having skipper Trent Barrett sinbinned during the match.

The Warriors, meanwhile, were left ruing their inability to take full advantage of a fast start at Robina.

Coach Ivan Cleary said the turning point came just before the interval, when the Warriors saw their lead chopped from 18-6 to 18-12 as the Titans returned the ball the length of the field.

"The biggest issue there was the five minutes before halftime," he said.

"We took our foot off the accelerator a bit and paid the price, so it's a good lesson there."

Cleary was pleased with the way his new halves pairing of Brett Seymour and James Maloney had gone in their first NRL match together.

"In round one you're always going to get a couple of parts of play where there is a bit of indecision, but for the most part, I thought everything was running smoothly," he said.

"For a first hit-out, considering where they've come from, I thought there was plenty to work with there."

Maloney arrived in Auckland from Melbourne with just four NRL apperarnces under his belt.

Seymour's move across the Tasman was more high profile and came after his sacking by Cronulla last year for alcohol-related incidents.

Asked if there was any extra motivation on Seymour's part in facing the Sharks, Cleary replied: "It's always nice to play against your old club in a way, but he's just happy to be playing football, I think."

- NZPA