NRL: Townsend hopes to prove a point

Chad Townsend will play a key role for the Warriors. Photo / Getty Images

His name - and game - is still a mystery to most Warriors fans but Chad Townsend is set to become a lot more familiar over the coming weeks.

Signed as a back up halfback last year, the former Shark will take centre stage in the first few weeks of the NRL season, expected to direct his new team around the park in the absence of Thomas Leuluai.

Leuluai, who played every minute of all 26 games last year and was a key component of their revival in the second half of the season, is still recovering from a groin injury that curtailed his Kiwis World Cup campaign. Though he is making steady progress, the Warriors medical staff will be reluctant to risk aggravating his condition and a return before round three currently seems unlikely.

So, Townsend will almost certainly get his NRL chance - and much earlier than he may have expected.

"It's healthy for the club to have competition," Townsend told the Herald on Sunday. "It's up to me to make the most of the opportunity over the next few weeks and prove my point with good performances on the field and in training. I've got to back my own ability and know I can do the job."

Confidence - always a prized (and essential) commodity for a halfback - is not something that Townsend seems short of. That has been evident watching Warriors' training over the last few weeks, where the former Junior Kangaroos captain has been willing to put much more senior teammates in their place. Townsend, who will turn out in the Warriors' final trial against the Broncos in Dunedin today, makes no excuses.

"In the position that we play in the halves there is no room to be shy and be a bit hesitant - you have to stamp your authority and make sure your voice is being heard," says Townsend. "That is probably one of the strengths of my game; I like to tell the boys what to do."

"He's a super professional, competitive, driven kid," says Warriors coach Matt Elliott. "He is also not afraid to say something; he is a typical Australian halfback."

In a team not endowed with big talkers, Townsend's forthright approach will be welcome. He is a competent goal kicker and possesses a strong kicking game. His structured game will allow Shaun Johnson to play a more off the cuff role.

"I've enjoyed my time working with Shaun," says Townsend. "We are two very different players - everybody knows the magic that he is capable of and it will be good to take some structure off his back and concentrate on getting the boys around the field."

Born and bred in the Sutherland shire, Townsend had dreams of turning out for his hometown club. He excelled for Cronulla at NYC level (55 games, 332 points) but first grade opportunities were limited to 16 games since his debut in 2011, mainly due to Todd Carney's presence at the Sharks.

"I thought I went well when I was given my chances but there was nothing more I could do that would get me in there for the long term," says Townsend. "I knew coming to the Warriors I wasn't guaranteed a spot but I just have to work hard and make it difficult for them to leave me out."

Townsend has enjoyed flatting with Charlie Gubb ("he's a bit of a character and very positive") and the self confessed golf 'tragic' is part of a small golfing fraternity at the Warriors.

"I love golf and have been getting out when I can," says Townsend. "Shaun [Johnson] plays a bit and Nathan [Friend] is a bit of a hacker... it's good to have a hobby to take your mind off footy."

He describes the pre-season as "unreal" and has been highly impressed with the professionalism of the club, the facilities and the resources available to the playing group.

"As players we get looked after really well over here," says Townsend. "Nothing is really spared. It is up to us now to put it on the field and get results."