NRL: Henderson awaits Warriors success

Ian Henderson. Photo / Getty Images

Ian Henderson is adamant a few twists and turns remain in his Warriors' career.

The Warriors flew out for the Gold Coast yesterday without the jack-in-the-box British-born Aussie hooker and also without injured back-up Alehana Mara.

Mara, who underwent a scan on his injured ankle yesterday, appears unlikely to play again this season, but his career is clearly in the ascendancy. The young Wellingtonian impressed in a three-match cameo in the final weeks of the regular season and will play plenty more games for the club.

Having signed to play for Catalans Dragons in the Super League next season, Henderson could have played his last.

Henderson's last act after three largely impressive seasons at the Warriors was to limp off in agony with a damaged ankle in the closing moments of the round 23 victory over the Knights. Not initially feared to be serious, it has kept him sidelined ever since.

He expects to be fit to play next week. He also expects to have a match to play in.

The Warriors can be eliminated if they lose to the Titans tomorrow night and two of the teams below them - the Roosters, Raiders and Sea Eagles - pull off upset victories over higher-ranked opponents.

That, said Henderson, wasn't going to happen.

"My head is strong. I will be back on the field. I tell myself that will happen and it should."

He didn't expect the Warriors to need a second life. He was confident they would beat the Titans tomorrow night, setting up a home semifinal next week.

Henderson's optimism may be admirable, but the niggling nature of his injury could mean the Warriors will have to negotiate their finals campaign without a natural back-up to Aaron Heremaia.

Having converted from hooker to his back row position, Lewis Brown is likely to slot in when Heremaia needs a spell, with Jacob Lillyman to come off the bench to fill Brown's left-side spot.

The thought he might have played his last match had certainly crossed his mind, admitted Henderson.

"I have thought the Newcastle game might be my last game and that wouldn't be a happy way to leave. I would like to go out knowing it is my last game rather than through injury.

"When I did it, the semis were in four weeks, and I just thought it would be a couple of weeks' injury. It's turned out it's hanging around a bit and I just can't get it 100 per cent at the moment.

"I can't be too disappointed if I don't get back on the field. I've had a great three years here. I've loved every moment of it."

One of the game's great tourists, Henderson was born in Cumbria, grew up in Australia, has represented Scotland and played professionally in Australia, Yorkshire and New Zealand.

"I have been all over the shop. I've being living abroad for six years now.

"But at the end of the day when I go back to Terrigal, when I am 32 at the end of my career, not many will have had the opportunity to experience so many cultures and countries.

"I know I'll be thinking myself lucky."

If Henderson's ankle clears up and the Warriors are still alive next week, the club will doubtless share that feeling.