NRL: Rookie Taylor relishing match-up

Elijah Taylor in action against the Roosters. Photo / Getty Images

Rookie New Zealand Warrior Elijah Taylor faces the tough proposition of marking Kangaroos rugby league back rower Anthony Watmough in enemy territory on Saturday night.

But chances are Taylor will be sleeping a little better before the National Rugby League match against Manly in Sydney than he did a fortnight ago.

Nerves kept the 21-year-old awake before his long-awaited debut against Cronulla in Taupo, although it didn't appear to affect his performance.

He came off the interchange bench to make 30 tackles in his 40 minutes to help the Warriors end a three-match losing streak and grab their first victory of the season.

He then backed up by being promoted to the run-on side against the Sydney Roosters in Auckland last weekend, when the Warriors made it back-to-back wins.

"I had a lot better sleep the night before the second game and felt a lot better," he said.

"I felt like I was in the game and I wasn't chasing it. It was just good to go out on your home ground and get two points."

Taranaki-born Taylor was initially called up for first grade in August, 2009, to face the visiting Gold Coast Titans, but a hamstring strain picked up in training forced him to be a late scratching.

There was further disappointment when he suffered a serious knee injury before the start of last season and spent a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

His did make it back on the field last year for the Junior Warriors, and scored two tries in their Toyota Cup grand final win.

"It was definitely tough, it was a character building," he said of his bad luck with injuries.

"I learnt a lot of things off the field. It probably just sparked the hunger to work hard, because I knew my opportunity would come one day."

Taylor has the ability to play a number of positions and coach Ivan Cleary has so far used him in the second row.

The player himself sees his long-term spot at lock.

"I can get my hands dirty in defence and I can ball-play and attack," he said.

As for the match-up with Watmough, Taylor said it would be a massive test and one he was looking forward to.

"Last year was a challenge for me with my knee injury and this is just another challenge," he said.

"I'm going to have to step up, but I'm ready and I can't wait."

Cleary said Taylor came through a tricky debut against the Sharks, having been thrown into the fray unexpectedly after lock Micheal Luck went off with a cut.

It was a period when the Sharks had a lot of the ball and the energy Taylor expended took its toll.

"He was quite spent at halftime and after the game," Cleary said.

"He was better for it last week. It was another really intense game, and he certainly didn't look out of the place."

Clearly rated Taylor's work off the ball as "fantastic" and a reason he had been retained in the starting 13.

"He's got another big job this week marking Anthony Watmough," he said.

"But for a third-game rookie, I certainly have a lot of faith in him."

Cleary was undecided what Taylor best position would be, although he veered towards lock.

"He's played hooker, centre, five-eighth, second row and lock with distinction in various grades," he said.

"Still not sure really, but I think he's probably a forward."