Simon Mannering and Manu Vatuvei may be still in their 20s, but they are definitely seasoned veterans at the Warriors.
Although with their bodies feeling the wear and tear of more than a decade in the NRL, the question remains of just how many seasons do they have left?
Mannering's reputation as a rugby league warhorse has been earned the hard way, so the decision not to lead the Kiwis end-of-season tour to the UK wasn't a call he made lightly.
"In the end, [it was] probably the right call," he says. "I don't think I could have played good enough footy for the Kiwis. [I] had a good break, longest break I've had in a while, hopefully [will] see the benefits of it once the season rolls around."
Prior to that, Mannering has played 11 of the last 12 Kiwis tests – and 71 out of the past 72 Warriors matches.
But gastric issues along with a host of niggling injuries have made the 29-year-old captain stop and look at the bigger picture.
"[It] made me realise I've got to probably be a bit smarter in that sense," Mannering says. "It all takes its toll, especially when the age starts creeping up. It gets a bit harder to recover [and] you don't quite bounce out of bed in the mornings."
Mannering sits second on the Warriors all-time appearance list while Vatuvei is third – two of only three players in the franchise's 200-game club.
Shoulder surgery last year has seen big Manu get special treatment at pre-season training.
The Warriors' greatest ever try-scorer calls it mind versus body – his body wants rest, but his mind is still in control.
"When the time comes, I know my mind will say it's time to hang up the boots and I'll listen to it," he says. "At the moment I think I've still got a couple of years in me."
Both players are desperate to help the Warriors finally climb to the NRL mountain top.
But Mannering's never one to get ahead of himself – he just wants to make his contribution count.
"The day comes that I don't think I can do that I'll be more than happy to walk away, hopefully it's after putting something back into the club that's worthwhile."
Both are under-contract until the end of 2018. By then they'll be 32, and they're hoping with an elusive premiership ring on their finger.
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