Anderson Happy With Warriors
Fitness

The New Zealand Warriors completed their National Rugby League (NRL) pre-season build up at Mt Maunganui this week with the best possible news that influential playmaker Stacey Jones passed all tests put to him.

Medicals, fitness tests, the tackle bag, tackling and sand work were all accomplished with no problems from the ankle or groin injuries that hampered him last season and for which he underwent surgery.

Jones will start against the Broncos in Brisbane in the first round of the NRL on March 14.

Prop Richard Villasanti will be the only change from last season's starting squad, with a knee injury keeping him out until about round three.

Hooker Tevita Latu, who missed the last finals games in 2003 because of tuberculosis, is well on the road to recovery and is expected to rejoin full training next week.

But with injured regular hooker PJ Marsh still at least two months away from a return, captain Monty Betham will have to start the season in the No 9 jersey.

Thomas Leuluai has his nose in front of Lance Hohaia at five-eighth, with Hohaia described as "still apprehensive" in his approach after knee reconstruction.

Coach Daniel Anderson said he was happy with the stage the squad were at, describing their fitness as being better than at the start in 2003.

"I expect the competition to go up a notch this season. I know we're better, so it's a matter of where the other teams are at."

He expected the extra fitness and motivation to make a difference in small areas of the game, in individual plays where making an extra metre in back up on attack or getting back on defence might make a difference.

Anderson expects the senior and seasoned players to fill out his 17 for the first six to 10 weeks unless injury or bad form intervene.

The players left Mt Maunganui yesterday for a last weekend off and Warriors staff stayed on, awaiting their families for their last weekend off for seven months