Regardless of who steps into the shoes of halfback Shaun Johnson, NZ Warriors have complete faith in the next man in to do the job in Saturday's NRL playoff against Penrith Panthers.
The Warriors have been hit by the news that Johnson will miss their postseason opener against the two-time reigning champions on their home turf.
Returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2018, a top-four regular season finish has guaranteed coach Andrew Webster's side a life in the post-season.
A win would see the Warriors return home for a preliminary final in two weeks. Lose and they'll face elimination winners in a semi-final on home soil next week.
First, they must get through Penrith - without Johnson.
For a team who've battled injury after injury in 2023, the loss of their star player doesn't faze the team, insists assistant coach Justin Morgan.
"It is what it is," he told Newshub. "You get injuries as part of the game.
"We've prepared really well. We've had a bit of a contingency [plan] for a little while.
"We're still confident the players we send out there will get the job done."
The Warriors are giving nothing away in terms of who'll replace their playmaker.
Initially named at five-eighth, Te Maire Martin is the most obvious contender to take the reins, while Dylan Walker could shift from the bench into the halves.
Coach Webster has already indicated Ronald Volkman won't fill in at halfback, needed for the Warriors' New South Wales Cup side in a must-win game of their own against Canberra Raiders.
Hooker Wayde Egan has also slotted in at five-eighth in injury-ravaged circumstances this year and could do so again in a move that would shift Freddy Lussick into the starting side.
NRL regulations allow the Warriors until an hour before kickoff to finalise their matchday 17, but that announcement could come later Friday.
Meanwhile, Morgan also expects healthy support for his side, even on enemy soil.
The Warriors have been exceptionally backed across the Tasman this year, with their fans packing into rival grounds from Brisbane to Sydney to Melbourne.
"All the games we've played in Australia this year, we've had lots of fans," said Morgan. "There's lots of Kiwis spread all around Australia.
"I don't think Saturday will be any different. We'll have plenty of fans on show to give us some support."
Join Newshub at 6pm Saturday for live updates of the Warriors v Panthers NRL playoff clash
