By Sam Ackerman
Making the cut for the NRL Auckland Nines is the first big goal of 2016 but the Warriors big guns are adamant they'll only play if they're up to speed.
Less than three weeks out from the Waitangi weekend showcase at Eden Park, Shaun Johnson remains motivated to use the event seemingly custom made for his skillset as the venue for his comeback from a serious ankle injury.
But the star halfback is quick to point out he won't be coming back prematurely as he nears the end of a painstaking recovery.
"I don't want people to get the idea that I'm putting everything into the Nines. We've got a long season ahead and that's still the priority. If I'm not feeling right for it, if I've got any doubt in my head I won't be playing," Johnson said.
"I'm not going to be silly about it but if I'm feeling good I'll definitely be playing."
New signing Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's another expected to shine in the reduced format but with just a few weeks of training under his belt, he's still working towards full fitness.
"I feel like I've still got heaps to go," the fullback said.
"I'm happy with the way I've been going the last few weeks, trying to catch my breath, that's the main thing."
Tuivasa-Sheck admitted to feeling "a bit nervous" about getting himself right in time for the Nines.
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