NRL: Aussie finds the Wright stuff at Warriors

Jonathan Wright, about to notch his 100th first-grade game, has grabbed his opportunity at the Warriors and is enjoying playing league at the top level again. Photo / Getty Images

Jonathan Wright has taken the good with the bad during his well-travelled NRL career but as he approaches his 100th match tomorrow, against the Parramatta Eels, he credits the Warriors for helping him rediscover his love for the 13-man code.

After posting a try - his third in as many weeks - in last week's win over his old Cronulla side, Wright is hoping the celebrations continue this week with a follow-up victory over the club that helped start his career in 2009.

"It has been a long journey and it has taken a lot of hard work and sacrifice to get here. Now I'm excited for the weekend and hopefully we get the win," Wright said.

"I'm pretty happy and proud but it wasn't always sweetness and light. There have been a few good years that I've had and a few dark years."

Twelve NRL games was all he enjoyed over two seasons in the blue and gold before shifting to arch rivals Canterbury for another two-year stint that included the 2012 grand final.

Two further years with Cronulla followed as the supplement scandal enveloped the club but by the end of last year Wright found himself without a contract and on the NRL scrapheap.

"There's been times when I questioned why I was playing rugby league but I continued with it and the Warriors gave me a lifeline and a chance to come over here," he said.

"I've taken it with both hands and I am enjoying my footy again. I feel like I'm debuting again with a new club."

After missing selection for round one, Wright was thrown on to the right wing for the road trip to Canberra and has proven a valuable acquisition.

"It was very daunting for the first few games," he explains. "I was coming in from Australia and probably taking someone's spot but the boys have embraced me and I feel very welcomed. With the way we are playing now I'm starting to get my bearings with everyone and am happy playing and it's really exciting.

"It's a team I want to play with. We just want to keep building on last week's win and doing my job and improving each week. I'm looking for a really big year."

It might have taken some Shaun Johnson brilliance to get them home at the death, but Wright says they have taken great confidence from their strong defensive effort against the Sharks.

"That's the way we want to play and the style that the Warriors want - to be able to grind out a win.

"It was the whole game, the talk and communication was a lot better.

"Our edge was very strong, probably the best we've been all year, but we need to build on that and make sure we're doing it consistently."

Coach Andrew McFadden is impressed with Wright's poise and composure and says he has proved some doubters wrong after taking some time to settle in to the team's structures.

"He copped a bit of criticism early on but certainly the team has valued his contribution," McFadden said.

"Most people don't see what he does in terms of how he carries for a lot of metres, he's always working for the team and he's obviously very, very safe under the high ball so those are pretty good attributes to have as a winger.

"He's been rock solid the last few weeks and he has been a very valuable asset to us."