League: Gifted youngsters looking to mix it with the big boys at Nines

Sam Lisone is excited to be playing but admits he is also nervous. Photo / Getty Images

Fleet-footed Warriors backline utility Tuimoala Lolohea and rampaging front-rower Sam Lisone are contrasting players, but the former under-20s young guns are both set to make their mark at this weekend's NRL Auckland Nines.

Lolohea enjoyed a taste of nines action at last year's inaugural tournament before making his NRL debut off the bench late in the season against Manly, and Lisone co-captained the Warriors 2014 NYC premiership-winning team and was the NRL side's 18th man on several occasions.

Both have been promoted to Andrew McFadden's 2015 NRL squad but their different personalities are evident in their attitudes and expectations ahead of the two-day nines tournament.

"I can't wait to get out there and play with Shaun [Johnson] and Sammy [Tomkins] and the others," the self-assured Lolohea said. "Another year of playing nines with them, I'm looking forward to it."

Johnson grinned when asked about the prospect of once again linking with the talented ball-runner, and praised his mature approach to pre-season training.

"There's a bit of confidence about Tui but it's good to see," said Johnson. "We need him to come in and be confident. He's been training really well. He's probably been our standout since I've been back in the pre-season. He just looks really committed and you forget how old he is. He can still play a year of [under] 20s. A tournament like this can give him a lot of confidence going into the season."

On the other side of the Warriors gym, the physically imposing 1.84m and 102kg Lisone cut a more anxious figure.

"I'm excited but I'm nervous at the moment, too," explained the New Zealand Rugby League's 2014 Junior Player of the Year. "More excited, though, so hopefully this really does kick off my year."

Lisone watched on from the Eden Park grandstand last year, and was in awe of the raucous reception the team received from the home crowd.

When asked if he was looking forward to being a part of that excitement this time around, he admitted to having more mixed feelings.

"That's really exciting, but it's making me nervous," he laughed. "I've just got to get over that and play footy.

"I'm used to the hype but the nerves are different because I'll be playing against NRL players not 20-year-olds. I just can't wait to rip in and get hurt and give some back as well."

Johnson was full of understanding when told of Lisone's nerves, but had no doubts he would settle into the groove and make the most of his nines opportunity.

"We'll just have a word to him. It's important they have fun. They're in the team for a reason and we've got all the confidence in them and I'm sure those boys will kill it and they can lap it all up."