NRL: Maloney best at driving rivals to distraction

James Maloney has been a more-than-pleasant surprise for the Warriors this season. Photo / Getty Images

James Maloney has had an interesting effect on his teammates and coach this season.

Approached for a couple of quotes about the chirpy Aussie five-eighths with the booming boot and penchant for backchat, veteran fullback Lance Hohaia's reaction is to groan "oh no", roll his eyes and look for a piece of gym equipment to hide under.

Asked for his thoughts on Maloney, another Warriors stalwart, centre Jerome Ropati, says: "We hadn't heard much about James before he came over here, but we sure get to hear plenty about him in training."

Even coach Ivan Cleary appears a touch rueful when pressed for his thoughts on the former Parramatta and Storm playmaker who came to the Warriors for a chance to prove he was a genuine NRL talent.

"Jimmy is a germ," says Cleary. "He is a pain. It's nagging. It is a different personality. It drives everyone mad but not in a bad way. He has always got a smile on his face. At least he's not bad for the place."

It sounds a bit as if Cleary is trying to convince himself.

Maloney has his own version of how he has adjusted to life at the club.

"I think I have just fitted in really well over here," he says. "The players I am playing with have helped a lot."

And he has helped them. That seems to be the rub with Maloney. He might get under a few people's skins - most notably referees to the tune of an NRL-high 28 penalties - but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

With the team's senior leaders Simon Mannering and Micheal Luck more the strong silent types, Maloney's constant prattle is actually welcome.

As indeed is an ever-improving kicking game that is crucial to keeping the Warriors on the front foot; his aggressive if statistically unsuccessful defence; his ability to put players in holes; and his eye for the tryline.

With just four NRL games under his belt before his arrival, Maloney has been a more-than-pleasant surprise this season.

"I didn't expect him to be this good, no," admits Cleary. "I just thought he was a good bet to be ready for an opportunity.

"At 23 he was young but not a kid and he had all the makings as a player of someone who could succeed. He kicks well and, while he misses a lot of tackles, he is actually a solid defender. People don't run through him."

When Hohaia finally accepts his fate he concedes Maloney has become a vital cog in a Warriors machine that improved from 14th to fifth in a season.

"He has been a revelation for us this year," says Hohaia. "The best thing I like about Jimmy is that he backs himself. He never dies wondering. He is out there on the field and he is trying things. They may not come off but he is a real competitor. That rubs off on everyone else."

Backing himself was the crucial aspect in Maloney's decision to trade in the security of another year at the Storm to throw in his lot with the Warriors.

Australians who come to the Warriors fall into two categories: those with established reputations who are tempted over the ditch with bumper contracts; and those with something to prove.

Maloney is definitely the latter.

"Obviously it was a big move," he says. "If I had come over here and got caught in reserve grade then you sort of get lost and that could have been the end. But I didn't really think about it like that. I came over here thinking it was an opportunity and that is how it has turned out."

Some of his numbers are impressive. If the NRL ever held a force back championship, Maloney would be one of the players to beat. He routinely out-guns the opposition's primary kicker for distance.

He is also dangerous with the ball in hand. Only Manu Vatuvei has scored more tries than Maloney's 10, while among NRL five-eighths only Benji Marshall is more prolific.

His 14 try assists also rank him up there with the NRL heavyweights.

Then there are the not-so-flash numbers. Only Souths halfback Chris Sandow has missed more tackles, and no one has got close to giving away more penalties.

The 118 missed tackles to his name are a misnomer. Like Sandow, Maloney bounces out of contact, but he seldom misses and rarely concedes a linebreak.

The penalties, which tend to be for high or late tackles, roughing up kickers and backchat, are a different matter.

"That gets a bit frustrating," sighs Hohaia. "But he is that competitive that he wants to win every little contest he is in. Sometimes the referees don't see it the same way he does. Hopefully he'll try to curb that behaviour for the finals."

Cleary believes Maloney is still learning the subtleties of the NRL.

"Referees don't take too kindly to cheeky halfbacks when they are as cheeky as he might be," he says.

He's only been around for the blink of an eye but Maloney already has a rep, says Cleary. "Now unfortunately he only has to slip up the slightest bit and he gets penalised.

"He understands what he needs to do. He has calmed down. He is much more in control than he used to be, and his teammates certainly let him know."

That his discipline needs to improve, particularly in the cauldron of finals football, isn't lost on Maloney.

"Penalties really put you under the pump," he says. "It's another six tackles for the boys to make and I don't make too many of them. For every set, Lucky [Micheal Luck] probably makes another four. It is no good for blokes like that. Hopefully I can give away none for the rest of the year."

Give that man a Tui.

With the Titans being guided by the vastly experienced pair of Scott Prince and Mat Rogers, the Warriors will need a big performance from their upstart five-eighth if they are to break a five-match losing run against the Gold Coast club tonight. As you'd expect, Maloney isn't at all fazed by the challenge.

"Both times we have played them [this season] we have been right in it with a good show and the things we have done have let them back into the game. I think we are in with a chance and all the boys are pretty confident. It is about sticking at what we want to do for the 80 minutes.

"We have come a long way this season and I think the boys are aware of that.

"Everyone is really grounded and knows the effort we put in in November, when we were flogging it in the off-season, that is what has got us here.

"We have got a real good mix so it is just about keeping that going."

As for Maloney, his sparkling season has put him squarely in the NRL shop window, with the likes of the Eels already circling. He still has another year on his Warriors contract but whether he stays for the long haul remains to be seen.

Wherever he lands after next season, you get the feeling his teammates will certainly know about it.

"The signs are very good for him," says Cleary. "If he continues to get all the other stuff right then he will be a very good NRL player for years to come."