Shaun Johnson has returned to the field for the first time since breaking his ankle in July.
The Warriors star still aims to make his comeback in the NRL Nines in three months' time and could have another new halves partner to combine with.
"It's good to be back out and up on the field for the first time so the ankle is feeling pretty good. I've just been rehabbing inside and got the chance to come out here today. The coaches let me have a bit of a kick around," Johnson said.
But Johnson isn't running yet. He's still getting over a second surgery on his ankle that he insists won't hinder his trademark speed and footwork.
"Everyone I've spoken to says I should make a full recovery, that's what I'm going off and I can't see any reason why I can't get back to where I was when I did it and be even better next year."
One man who's eager to see Johnson back is veteran Jeff Robson, who only arrived in Auckland last Thursday.
"I think if I get the opportunity to pair up with Shaun Johnson [we] could steer the team around the field and let him play off the back of it and he's got the individual brilliance to outshine anyone on his day," Robson said.
A few eyebrows were raised when the 33-year-old was signed by the Warriors in September, with the club virtually swapping him for Sharks-bound Chad Townsend for 2016.
But it's his wealth of experience and cool, calm head that attracted the Warriors to signing him.
"It's a massive gain having him in the side and I'm sure he'll fit in," Johnson said.
Having already played 159 games in the NRL, Robson accepts this could be his last season - one where he will have stiff competition from Thomas Leuluai and Tui Lolohea.
"I didn't think I was going to walk into a position. I knew that I would have to work hard so, as I said before, just put my head down and train hard and hopefully do my thing over the pre-season and get first opportunity," Robson said.
Robson says he's no Andrew Johns but he could be the man to help Johnson reach such lofty comparisons.
3 News