Ruben Wiki: Nervous times as we chomp at the bit

My Warriors jersey from today's game went under the hammer on Friday fetching an amazing $4000 in a club auction.

I hope it's going to be special for the American guy who bought it because it's certainly going to be special for me after 12 years away from New Zealand. I've always been a nervous person and I know the butterflies will be racing today as we finally get a chance to prove how hard we've been working over the summer.

I hope my first game for the Warriors is more successful than my first for the Raiders in 1993 when I was sent off for a high tackle. I've been called before the judiciary so many times over the years I'm virtually on a first-name basis with the guys there.

Since 1993 I've had to sit out an average of about two games a season through suspension which amounts to more than a season on the sidelines. While this obviously isn't ideal, it's because I play the game at 100mph and I'm not going to change the way I do things. I do have to be careful, though, when I get a bit tired because it's easy to leave a lazy arm behind and get pinged for it.

Today I will be coming up against one of my great mates in Manly skipper Michael Monaghan and if he comes anywhere near the middle I'll be sure to give him a welcoming 'cuddle'.

Everyone is itching to get out on the park today after a good pre-season and we are desperate to start with a win.

We've got strength across the park and it's great to see Stacey Jones back to full fitness. It's up to us forwards to get the team going forward so Stacey, Nathan Fien and Lance Hohaia can do the damage.

I remember when we won the premiership with the Raiders in 1994. We had a pretty scratchy start before putting together about nine wins on the trot at the end of the season.

While we can afford a loss here and there in the first few rounds, it makes life easier if we can get off to a good start to get the momentum going and the crowds behind us. We can't really afford to look too far ahead because there are so many factors that come into it like the bounce of the ball and injuries.

Many people have already written off the Manly Sea Eagles but I believe they are a strong side that has bought well over the summer. The likes of Ben Kennedy and Brent Kite will improve their squad.

They've got some good halves and some big-name players in Steve Menzies, John Hopoate and Terry Hill that we'll need to take care of. I'm really looking forward to starting the season with a win and the kava bowl will taste even better with two points on the board.