NZ Warriors utility forward Jazz Tevaga is on track to return from injury against Gold Coast Titans on Friday.
Tevaga has yet to feature this NRL season, after undergoing off-season ankle surgery and then rupturing a knee ligament before the win over St George Illawarra Dragons - the first game back from COVID-19 shutdown.
"The body is good," says Tevaga. "I probably could've played last week, but the physio and the coaches thought I should get another week under my belt, with the footy in my hands and doing some contact.
"So, I'm ready to go this week. I've just got to get picked."
The 24-year-old was fortunate to avoid surgery for his troublesome knee, but his previous experience with injury has taught him that he shouldn't rush any return to the field, which is a sentiment interim head coach Todd Payten has reiterated.
"The reason why I've had these few niggles is I've pushed myself a bit too hard, too soon.
"[Payten] sat me down, and said I need to take it slow and get my body right, before I think about playing. He's been really good in that aspect."
Tevaga has emerged as one of the Warriors' most improved players over the past two seasons, with his high-energy ball-carrying and defence making the 2018 NRL Interchange Player of the Year a genuine threat off the bench.
With the NRL's recent rule changes placing more emphasis on high-tempo rugby league, Tevaga believes he can ramp that impact up even further.
"I think the new rule changes will suit my game - playing fast through the middle and using my footwork."
Tevaga admits the sudden firing of former coach Stephen Kearney had been "upsetting", he's well aware of the cut-throat nature of the sports industry.
Now a member of the Warriors leadership group, he's eager to help his team put that drama behind them and string together some consistency, using Saturday's gutsy win over the Brisbane Broncos as a springboard.
"The stuff with [Kearney] was really upsetting. It was pretty sad how things were handled there, but it is what it is - he and I both know that it's a business.
"I've just been itching to get out there, especially when we've had a couple of bad losses. I want to be out there and help out where I can.
"It's been really motivating for me to get out there."
Tevaga has done his best to keep spirits high through the squad and while he has had pangs of homesickness, he realises plenty of teammates with wives and children back in NZ are doing it much tougher.
"It has been hard. I don't have kids or a partner, so things are a bit easier for me, but I do miss home.
"I do miss my mum and dad, and my dog, but luckily I have one of my good mates here - Nate Roache - and we're sort of in the same boat, so he's made things easier.
"We're just giving each other sh*t every day. I think that's the best way to go about it, keeping each other honest."
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