League: Prop set to fight for place at top

Evarn Tuimavave. Photo / Richard Robinson

There will be a sense of great relief for Warrior prop Evarn Tuimavave when he runs on to the field with the Auckland Vulcans against Balmain in Sydney today, the first time he's pulled on his game boots since the World Cup.

In the first week of the New Year, just after Sonny Fai went missing at Bethells Beach, Tuimavave suffered a bad neck injury during contact training. He was running with the ball when hit by three others and felt bad pain in his upper back and neck.

"It was sore but I carried on and by the end of the session even the smallest of collisions was hurting so I went straight to the physio."

The problem was thought to be muscular and rest was prescribed but after two weeks there was no change and following a visit to the team medic Dr John Mayhew he was sent for an MRI scan which revealed a bulging disc.

"It was pretty gutting at the time, they told me it needed a lot of time to heal by itself or else it was surgery."

If surgery had been required it would have put him out for all this season and had the potential to end his career for good. Off contract after this season, Tuimavave admits that was a scary thought. "It was tough, I spoke to Ivan [coach Cleary] about it, about not having a chance to prove myself."

Russell Packer, just 19, is playing exceptionally well in his first full season, says the 24-year-old Tuimavave, who knows he will have to fight for his place back in top grade despite that age advantage and his 99-game record.

He sees himself as a different player to Packer, who he rates as more in the role of Steve Price, the ball carter, while he would like to develop off-loads and line-breaking ability. "I've talked about it with Ackers [assistant coach John Ackland], not to force the pass but to look for the opportunity and know when to do it. Wade [McKinnon] is one of the best support players in the game, he's always sniffing around. I just have to make the right links."

After a "magic" year in 2008 in which he appeared in 25 of 27 games for the Warriors and made his test debut against England at the Cup, joining uncles Tony and Paddy as Kiwi internationals, 2009 has been sobering. It's taught him to maybe appreciate what he has a bit more, he said.

Tuimavave has no pain, no side-effects and needs no medicines now after the disc receded by itself.

"I went to the specialist last Tuesday night fully expecting him to say I needed surgery and just to get the date so it was a huge relief."