While most NRL clubs would struggle to replace their starting five-eighth after a season-ending injury, NZ Warriors have the luxury of bringing back Te Maire Martin as the pointy end of the year approaches.
On Friday, a hamstring injury suffered in the victory over St George Illawarra Dragons saw Luke Metcalf declare his season over, with only a clash against the Dolphins this Saturday to come before the Warriors return to the NRL playoffs.
But while there's never a good time to lose a key player to injury, the timing couldn't be any better for 27-year-old Martin.
In his first season with the Warriors since returning to the NRL with Brisbane Broncos last year, Martin made five appearances to open the season, before a broken leg kept him out of action since April.
Last Saturday, Martin returned to the field for the Warriors' reserve grade side, laying on two try assists in 51 minutes before his withdrawal.
While coaches would be reluctant to rush a player back after such a lengthy stint out of action, Andrew Webster assures Martin's limited minutes came as part of a plan to see him back in the side this week.
And as Webster heavily rotated his side that can't finish outside the NRL's top four before the playoffs begin, there's complete confidence in Martin to lead a new-look side in their regular season finale.
"He's good," updated Webster. "He played really well, he had some great touches last week.
"We played him for 50 minutes, once he got the confidence, did well and got the job done, we pulled him off, especially knowing what happened to Luke the day before.
"We were smart around that. He's had a great day of training - a great week of training really.
"He's an experienced player, he's played in big games before. It looks like he hasn't missed a beat really."
That big game experience could be telling.
Even with just five games played so far this season, Martin is one of just a handful of players in this Warriors squad to have appeared in an NRL grand final.
Another of those former grand finalists, Dylan Walker, will lead the Warriors this weekend.
Coach Webster has made significant changes to this week's team, swapping out half of his starting line-up from last weekend's victory.
And having a player like Martin to call on on Saturday is music to Walker's ears.
"Te Maire's just made it back in time," said Walker. "Te Maire's a professional, he's been around the league for a number of years now.
"He's getting older, he looks uglier. I'm excited for him and the opportunity he has to showcase this weekend."
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