NZ Warriors are taking no risks over the fitness of Wayde Egan, with the hooker given an extra week to recover from a concussion.
Despite emerging as one of the Warriors' best players this season, Egan's time on the field has been blighted by two separate head knocks that have limited his time on the field.
In round two, he failed a head injury assessment (HIA) in defeat to Sydney Roosters and failed another in round six against Newcastle Knights.
The NRL concussion protocols require an 11-day standdown period for players who've suffered head knocks, with Egan missing rounds three and seven - both wins over North Queensland Cowboys.
Although that period will have elapsed by the time the Warriors next take the field, against Melbourne Storm on Anzac Day, the club is giving the veteran additional time to recover.
"We're just always keeping an eye on the future," said coach Andrew Webster. "We want to try and pick the best team to win each week.
"Wayde's a very good player, but we want to make sure that his safety is right. He's fine, there's no concerns.
"We've just got to be careful, particularly around headknocks. Sometimes it'll just be really clear and easy, sometimes you've got to put the player first - which we always do.
"We'd love him to play this week, so would Wayde, but we're doing the right thing by him."
So far this season, Egan, 26, has been a Warriors standout on a run that sees them third on the NRL ladder after their first seven games.
In just five games, Egan has scored five tries from dummy-half - second only to winger Ed Kosi for the club, from two less games - to go with one assist.
On defence, Egan has also made 182 tackles, behind only captain Tohu Harris for the club, and is averaging 48 running metres per game.
While the risk of concussion and its lingering effects will always be of concern to clubs, Egan is showing no long-term symptoms and has been an active participant in the Warriors preparation to face the Storm next week.
"He's training and he wanted to play," Webster added. "He trained today and looked good."
In Egan's place, Freddy Lussick has been named in the No.9 jersey, after ably deputising in the Warriors spine so far this season.
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