The NZ Warriors still don't know if playmaker Blake Green will take the field in their NRL game against the Cowboys at Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday night.
He's racing the clock to recover from a groin injury and the final decision will be left to him.
"He's got to know within himself," said assistant coach Todd Payten. "Whether he's right to kick, tackle, run - all that sort of stuff - and he'll know best."
Blake was injured during the warm-up to last week's defeat against the Rabbitohs and the Warriors will need his guidance against North Queensland.
"He's very important in the way we go about it," said Payten. "He directs the team with his talk, he gives other guys confidence within the team."
As skillful as Green is with the ball in his hands, he's pretty good off his boot as well.
Filling those big boots has been rookie five-eighth Chanel Harris Tavita, who's tried to emulate Green's cross-kicks at training.
The Cowboys arrived in Auckland on Thursday afternoon, having won just one game this season.
"We know they're going to be desperate," said Payten. "It's a big game for both of us."
The 15th-placed Cowboys have their backs to the wall and the Warriors will need the rub of the Green this weekend.
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