Dallin Watene-Zelezniak showed no ill effects from his mended broken wrist. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport
Warriors v Dolphins
Kickoff 5pm Saturday, 17 May
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak insists he's not one to feel nerves before games, but this wasn't the case, as he returned to the NZ Warriors line-up for the first time this season last weekend.
After breaking his wrist just a few minutes into the club's first pre-season trial in February, the flying winger was grounded for three months, riding every twist and turn of his team's dramatic campaign from the sidelines.
Without him, they jumped out to a 6-2 record, matching their best-ever start through eight games and climbing into the NRL top three.
Those butterflies were all about not being the one to let the side down.
"I don't get nervous before games, but I think the nerves were coming from the team doing so well, and me not wanting to mess anything up and just playing role," Watene-Zelezniak recalled.
"It's been quite good coming back into a team that's doing really well and all you have to focus on is your job. That was Webby's message to me - just do me and all will be well.
"Not having an impact on the game when you're watching is quite annoying, but the boys have been playing well."
Some rust was to be expected. His return in the one-point thriller against St George Illawarra Dragons came perhaps a little earlier than expected, but helped coach Andrew Webster fill a void that popped up, when Ed Kosi wrenched a shoulder the previous week.
Back-up fullback Taine Tuaupiki, who replaced Watene-Zelezniak in the starting line-up after his injury, simply shifted across to the other side of the park to accommodate his return to his favoured right side.
"At the start of the game, I was feeling quite fit, quite good, because we had all the ball, but then we got into the arm wrestle and it started to feel like my first game back," he said. "I didn't really feel much on my wrist on the weekend, which is a good sign.
"I wanted to play that game without thinking about it - there were a few times when I had the big boys on me, and I was able to plant out and take their weight, which was good.
"First game back, so they're easing me back into training this week, but I'm not feeling too bad. I was thinking I quite missed the soreness, and then woke up the next morning and thought, 'Yeah, I don't miss this'."
Watene-Zelezniak acknowledged timing was probably his biggest issue, but that will come the more he plays with those around him… bearing in mind, this was also the sixth different backline configuration the Warriors had fielded through nine games this season.
They may have their seventh through 10 this week, if Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returns from his hamstring strain against the Dolphins on Saturday.
"I knew there would be things I was a bit unsure of, but to be able to win and have things to learn on is a blessing," Watene-Zelezniak agreed. "It was fundamental stuff.
"I put myself in a few positions to turn the game around, a couple of interceptions that were there for me to take and seal the try.
"Being there, I was in the lane and didn't think he was going to throw it, so it shocked me and I snatched at the ball. These are things I know I have to get better the more I play."
As a team, the Dragons lead the league in linebreaks, with their left edge anchored by centre Valentine Holmes particularly potent. Winger Corey Allan scored one try against the Warriors, but Watene-Zelezniak considered his combination with makeshift centre Kurt Capewell held its own on defence.
"They had shot after shot at us and they turned the ball over a few times because of Capes' reads. Definitely cool learnings we got from that game and going up against a side like that, especially on the left edge, was quite confidence boosting."
Watene-Zelezniak's absence has put his tryscoring dominance at risk, after leading the club in each of the last three seasons with a total of 48. Instead, he's giving star halfback Luke Metcalf a seven-try headstart, if he wants to continue that run.
"That's not the plan, as long as we're winning and Lukey's scoring those tries," Watene-Zelezniak insisted. "He's playing really well.
"It's good for him, if teams are holding out on edges and leaving gaps. If teams ID that, I'm sure Luke will come up with the right options."
