A taxing start to the NRL season is catching up with the NZ Warriors.
On Wednesday, coach Andrew Webster gave the majority of his squad an extra day off to recover before this weekend's trip to Newcastle, as a series of close games and a gruelling travel schedule starts to take its toll.
But some of the recovering injured stars are stepping up and readying themselves to face Newcastle this week.
But it's who wasn't training today that stood out. Among the absentees - Shaun Johnson, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Wayde Egan.
"There's a big part of us that knows how much hard work we've got to do to get things right in our game, but we want to fix those things with energy," said Webster.
That meant the bulk of the 17-man squad from Sunday's thriller in Cronulla were given an extra day off, as the bruising start to the season is felt.
"I think the athletes are getting faster, stronger so the collisions are getting bigger, and the travel does have an impact at times," Webster added.
And the extensive travel hasn't helped their cause. Including pre-season, the Warriors have already had return trips to Christchurch, Wellington, Townsville, and Sydney.
They've had just one regular season game at Mt Smart Stadium - covering a distance of just under 18,000km - all within the first five rounds.
"We've found ourselves in a lot of tight games to start the year and it was no different on the weekend," said captain Tohu Harris. "I think the boys have really earnt that time off.
But some big names were also putting in work at Wednesday's training. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been named as a reserve this week, Te Maire Martin is back in full flight after suffering a concussion, but Harris is still touch-and-go to return to the field.
"Too hard to call at the moment," Harris admitted. "Very optimistic and, like I said, giving it every chance to be out there on the field."
With the squad already a bit beaten up, the Warriors won't be risking anyone this early in the season.
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