By Shaun Johnson
I can't wait.
Given what I've come through since injuring my ankle back in July, it will be a special moment running out onto Eden Park on that first day of the NRL Auckland Nines.
Just like in 2014, experiencing it for the first time, I feel like I'm a little kid again just wanting it all over again.
It's been a grind and a really up and down ride to get to this point but I know come this weekend it's going to be all worth it.
People have been asking – 'which would you rather, play in the Nines or be fit for the NRL season?'
Why can't it be both? Why won't it be both? 'Shaun we want you to be fit for the NRL season, don't get tackled at training, don't tackle anyone in case you hurt your shoulder'…It doesn't work like that.
You train hard to get yourself in the best possible shape to handle a tournament like the Nines and the NRL season. We can't just stand still and be expected to turn up and play. We simulate how we want to play in the weekend and that means contact sessions, getting tackled and running hard.
Not just as footy players but as people in general, you can't go about worrying what if this or that happens. It's nonsense really.
The Nines is just fun to be part of. As players, that's why we want to be involved. It's like going to work and loving your job, it's that simple for me.
I grew up playing league my whole life. I know where it ranks in sports in this country and I want to be a part of taking it up a few belts and take it to the top. We can't miss opportunities like this.
To those who think I should skip the Nines, why would I when I get the chance to showcase the sport in one of the best ways we possibly can and turn those with a passing interest into rugby league fans. Kids that are playing rugby or soccer may want to play league after this. That's the snowball effect a tournament like this can have.
Obviously, leading into the NRL season it's the same with the Warriors. I know if we do well league in this country spikes and people get in behind us. This weekend is just a great chance for me to get that ball rolling and really start pushing it.
We're well aware of the pressure to win in our home city. I think we got it wrong last year.
I thought the first year we got it right, we didn't think about that expectation too much. It wasn't until we lost in the semi that people realised how much impact we had on the tournament when people just cleared out.
Again, last year in the quarters, everyone just cleared out so obviously we want to do well, every team there does.
But we want to enjoy it as well, we want to have fun. In 2014 we did that. Last year we got a bit too heavy, a bit too serious and we really felt that weight so for us, this year, it's about just having fun and it's a chance for us to break away from the pre-season grind.
For those on the fence about attending; just give it a chance, take a punt. It's an unbelievable weekend and an awesome experience to play in front of.
Newshub.
