NRL: Is Sam Cane the new Warriors halfback?

Injured All Blacks flanker Sam Cane could be the new Warriors halfback, after receiving a new jersey with the number seven on the back.

Cane, a lifelong Warriors fan, spoke to the players about leadership and preparation for matches at a pre-season camp in Rotorua on Thursday.

The 27-year-old was wearing a Warriors jersey from their inaugural season in 1995.

After addressing the team, Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck presented Cane with a new 2019 jersey that had his name on the back, along with his All Blacks number.

Ironically, Cane's number is the same as a halfback usually wears in the 13-man code.

There has been plenty of debate about who will don the seven jersey in 2019, after the shock departure of Shaun Johnson to the Cronulla Sharks.

Perhaps Cane could fill the void once he's recovered from his neck injury and he comes off contract with New Zealand Rugby in 2021.

Among players currently contracted at the club, Adam Keighran is reportedly the favourite to start at halfback for the Warriors in 2019, with fellow young gun Chanel Harris-Tavita also in contention.

Cane said he was contacted by one of the Warriors strength and conditioning coaches, Mark Harvey, about talking to the team and he couldn't turn down the opportunity.

"I couldn't say no, because I've been a Warriors fan for a long time," Cane told the club's website.

"The opportunity to come meet the boys was one I couldn't turn down, even though I was nervous to speak.

"I've had the [95 jersey] for a long time, so I thought this was the perfect time to bring to break it out."

Last year, All Blacks captain Kieran Read spoke to the Warriors players during the pre-season and taught the team about mental toughness.

That led to the Warriors standing in a team huddle after a try has been scored, where they take three breaths as a group to help them refocus.

Cane is currently recovering from a neck fracture, sustained during the All Blacks' 32-30 win over the Springboks in Pretoria last year.

Earlier this week, he was named co-captain of the Chiefs for their 2019 Super Rugby campaign, alongside Brodie Retallick.

The Warriors play the Melbourne Storm (February 22) and the Wests Tigers (March 2), before opening their season against the Canterbury Bulldogs in Auckland on March 16.

Newshub.