Warriors Prop Addin Fonua-Blake talks about his move to the Warriors. Video / Supplied
New Zealand Warriors winger Ken Maumalo has been playing through the pain barrier in 2021, nursing an uncomfortable injury since the start of the season.
Maumalo revealed this week he suffered a sternum injury in the round one win over the Titans.
It causes significant discomfort, especially in the latterstages of matches, and the 26-year-old is wearing a moulded chest guard in training and games.
"I picked up a sternum injury and it's been a constant injury that's been there," said Maumalo. "I've been playing with it since round one, something that I have got to manage and keep on top of."
It's a factor in Maumalo's "slow" start to this campaign, where he hasn't yet reached the heights of previous seasons, though he is loath to make excuses.
"[It's] not so much affecting me, more head noise leading into training and more so the game," said Maumalo. "[At the] back end of the game I really start to feel that injury but other than that it's all good … fingers crossed it will be sweet.
"[But] in terms of performance, it's been slow. I spoke to some of the boys and they think I have started the season off slow which I have taken on board personally and looking to build on the first three rounds."
For the Warriors only Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Addin Fonua-Blake have accumulated more yardage that Maumalo's 520 metres, ranked 12th in the NRL.
He is also third in the competition for post-contact metres (232), the crucial gains over the advantage line.
Ken Maumalo scores against the Newcastle Knights. Photosport
But his verdict reflects an acknowledgement that he has lacked the menace and punch of 2018 and 2019, when he was one of the most damaging players in the NRL, viewed as an additional forward.
If Maumalo is off his game, it's been compensated by the arrival of Fonua-Blake and Ben Murdoch-Masila, who have added size and power to the Warriors effort.
"Our forwards have been really strong," agreed Maumalo. "That is what has been getting us over the line."
The pack was key to the 34-31 comeback victory over the Raiders, the kind of win that can have an immeasurable effect on belief.
"It was a massive confidence booster," said Maumalo. "A lot of boys came in very happy, excited for this week's game. The way we won, the way we toughed it out against a good Canberra side really lifts our confidence."
So far the Warriors have displayed an impressive mental toughness in 2021.
They outlasted the Titans in blistering conditions, after losing three players to concussion and injury, and recovered an eight point second-half deficit against the Knights, before the second half heroics in Canberra.
"[That's coming] from the individual," said Maumalo. "Brownie [Nathan Brown] can only do so much as a coach. If we don't have the right attitude or turn up with the right mindset then whatever Brownie is telling us it is not going to work. It's belief within ourselves and the group."
That mental intensity will be tested against the Roosters on Sunday night.
The Bondi outfit are missing some key men, including Luke Keary, Lachlan Lam, Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend, but retain the core of the team that has won three grand finals and reached three other preliminary finals since 2013.
"It's about keeping the same energy, not worrying about who is going to be in," said Maumalo. "Brownie said to us if you are worried about who is coming in and out you are in the wrong mindset. He made us switch our mindset to going [there] and getting the job done no matter who is on the field."
