NRL: Warriors' four 'young guns' make their mark

Warriors player Solomone Kata, who is averaging more than 100 running metres a game, managed several strong bursts and some stinging defence. Photo / Dean Purcell

If there is an unexpected bonus to the Warriors' solid start to 2015, it has to be the performance of a clutch of "young guns".

We knew the team would be fitter and more focused after a full pre-season under coach Andrew McFadden. We expected Ryan Hoffman would add real starch to the pack, and Bodene Thompson would bring energy and aggression.

But who would have thought a group of young players - some recent graduates of the Under-20 competition - would handle the step up to first grade with such aplomb? It hasn't always worked that way in recent years but the likes of Sam Lisone (21 years old), Albert Vete (22), Solomone Kata (20) and Tui Lolohea (20) have adjusted well to the early tests.

Kata has already touched down three times, and his second try in Saturday's 29-16 win over Parramatta - when he leaped high for a Chad Townsend kick and wrestled the ball off his marker in midair - epitomised his current confidence and ability.

Kata, who is averaging more than 100 running metres a game, managed several strong bursts and some stinging defence.

Lolohea was brilliant against the Knights and has been solid at centre in the past two matches. He has carried for 136m per match and his step and speed have engineered 12 tackle breaks.

And Vete and Lisone haven't missed a beat, playing in the hardest position on the field. They have coped well with the workload and aren't afraid to put on a sidestep or an offload. Lisone has managed 96m and 18 tackles a match, Vete 91m and 11 tackles in each outing so far.

"[The young players] are probably ahead of where I thought they would be," said McFadden.

"Both Albert Vete and Sam Lisone in particular - I wasn't expecting them to start our season, let alone the first three games.

"I'm really happy with what they are doing and bringing to the side and I know the senior playing group really appreciate what they do."

It's almost inevitable they will need a break at some stage - as the physical and mental demands of the NRL take their toll - but McFadden seems in no hurry.

"We will continue to work with them and help them get better.

"There is lots of internal competition in this squad anyway. But we have got to give them a chance to keep playing and you never know, they might surprise a few people."

Meanwhile, injured centre Konrad Hurrell remains a "week-to-week" proposition, according to McFadden.

"He could be [back in] a week [or] could be another two or three weeks."

Warriors 29
Eels 16