KEY POINTS:
Wade McKinnon doesn't feel like the saviour.
His long-anticipated return after knee surgery last weekend showed he's still got the skills although the timing of his attacking thrusts was perhaps a millisecond off. However the vision was there and the rest will come.
He got very tired and
rated his performance in the 18-4 win over Cronulla as ordinary. "I felt good, it felt good to be out there," he said after watching 21 games from the sidelines while a knee, injured in a pre-season game against Newcastle, recovered.
A measure of his intent was evident when he sat sideline during much of that time and and also paid his way to Sydney to attend games while visiting family and friends.
"I'd been training hard, it's been a long time," he said of his return.
"I was feeling pretty rusty at times but it will come back," McKinnon said as he prepared for a vital game against the St George Illawarra Dragons in Wollongong.
It's clear the Warriors got lost and missed the impact of their big-name stars earlier this season. McKinnon was joined on the casualty list by captain Steve Price, Ruben Wiki, Manu Vatuvei, Jerome Ropati and others. Price and Brent Tate were later involved in State of Origin.
Lately, the Warriors have looked closer to the team everyone thought they could be at the start of the season and are in a position to propel themselves, with momentum, into the play-offs. McKinnon's return has been looked on as providing the rocket fuel for that boost.
"I don't feel any pressure, I'm just looking at playing my usual game."
There is plenty of talent in the team and try-scoring ability without him, he said. "We're definitely capable [of competing in the finals series],"
"The team is awesome. There were a few hiccups early on but no one gave up, we're really tight and that's what gets you through."
The 27-year-old is signed at the Auckland club for another three seasons a big commitment and one he says will bring a title. "I enjoy it here, it's been a lot of fun."
McKinnon is looking forward to getting back into surfing at Muriwai, Mt Maunganui and spots he's yet to visit.
He feels no twinges in the repaired knee but there's some soreness. He does extra weights work and other maintenance. "It's fine, it doesn't worry me at all," he said when asked if there was any mental baggage that might, subconsciously, make him take it easier on the leg for fear of a repeat injury.
His kick-return metres are among the highest in the NRL and give the Warriors major punch from the start of every set.
He has great leg drive and upper body strength, as well as the swerve and so is frequently able to break tackles.
So, hopefully, we can expect more of the flash and dash that saw his long-range try against the Penrith Panthers last year voted the touchdown of the season by fans.
Ask the other players and they'll all say they've been missing McKinnon's mouth as much as his running moves. At times, on defence, he talks non-stop and they say it can sometimes be fiery as he gives orders about what sections of the field need more cover and who should go where.
Most fullbacks prefer to get the men in front of them to do the tackling.
McKinnon doesn't miss the ones that get through and he makes no apologies for his chatter. "I do my best to [fill the holes].
"That's my job so I'll do it whether they like it or not."
Sunday's clash is an opportunity to push ahead of the Dragons and put a gap on others around the Warriors' 26 competition points but they have not discussed winning as being critical, McKinnon said.
"We know if we get this one it might give us a bit of a buffer but we haven't put it down as a must-win. But we're definitely capable."
Meanwhile, incoming coach Wayne Bennett's influence at the Dragons is being felt, with the club this week agreeing terms with Broncos centre-wing Darius Boyd through to 2011.
Boyd, 21, has played 68 games.
He joins former Broncos Luke Priddis, 1999-2001 and Neville Costigan, who had four years with Bennett in Brisbane 2003-2006 before he was dropped and joined Canberra last season.
Canberra prop Michael Weyman and Storm second rower Jeremy Smith are the Dragons' other signings for next year but those four would not soak up the money St George has been paying Mark Gasnier, who is off to play rugby in France.
Rangi Chase is going to Super League with Castleford and Simon Woolford is retiring, so they have more money to spend.
Canberra prop Tom Learoyd-Lahrs lost his case before the NRL judiciary and has been banned for seven games for a lifting tackle on Newcastle's Ben Cross.
Sione Faumuina has signed a one-year deal to join Castleford next year.
Wade McKinnon:
Born: Feb 12, 1981, Sydney.
Height: 183cm.
Weight: 91kg.
Position: Fullback.
Previous clubs: Souths 2002-2003, Eels 2004-2006.
NRL games: 100, 23 games for the Warriors since debut v Eels R1 2007.
Tries: 34, 10 for the Warriors.