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Three steps, a shimmy, a brick wall called Mark Tookey. Welcome back to contact training Ali Lauiti'iti.
Lauiti'iti's comeback to the National Rugby League (NRL) advanced another step here today as the second rower chanced his arm for the first time in simulated match conditions.
He played a full role in a bustling 30-minute run around with the New Zealand Warriors, although it was a pale imitation of a genuine first grade match.
The Warriors' strike weapon has been in cotton wool since surgery in February removed a cyst from his arm, so both Lauiti'iti and the coaching staff were understandably nervous when he lined up on a wet and windswept training ground at Scots College.
"I was a little bit anxious so I put him in my group," coach Daniel Anderson said to League Correspondent.
"I put him there just to watch him, the doc was watching as well."
Lauiti'iti made an occasional run and weighed in with a couple of tackles but generally roamed out of harm's way.
His assessment: "It was pretty good".
"There's always nerves when you come back from injury but you've got to try and put it in the back of your mind. You just have to keep positive. There's a good bunch of guys around me and they encourage you.
"I still have some work to do fitness-wise but it's good to be back in full contact.
"It was just another step really. I've been doing the speed work so it was good to get out with the boys."
Lauiti'iti is scheduled to return for the home game against Manly on the weekend of July 12-13 although that depends on a final round of medical checks.
He will be put through his paces again at training tomorrow where the tackle bags will be unpacked.
"It was too wet for them today," Anderson said.