As they effectively play catch-up, Warriors second rower Tohu Harris says they have to make sure they use their time in Tamworth as best as they can.
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The New Zealand side hit the training park as a full squad for the first time on Monday after touching down in the city on Sunday and setting up training headquarters at Scully Park for the next month as they ramp up their preparations for the 2021 season.
They are comparatively,to the other clubs, behind the eight-ball with the squad split between Australia and New Zealand for all of the pre-season so far.
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Speaking at Tamworth airport on Sunday, Harris, who last year won the Simon Mannering Medal as Player of the Year and was also adjudged the players' player, said the players are excited about getting together as a group and "being able to do everything that a normal team can" after only being able to train in a limited capacity.
After living out of a suitcase for five months last year, the players are facing another long haul on the road, due not to return to New Zealand until at least April.
"That part, everyone's in different situations in terms of families and things like that," Harris said.
"We've just got to make sure in terms of the football side of things that we're using this time together as best as we can."
"We've had a split pre-season so far so having the group in one place we've got to use the time wisely and make the most of it," he said.
Part of the group that trained in Kiama, the Kiwi international said it was good to "see everyone's faces again".
"There's a few guys in the New Zealand crew that I haven't seen yet and a few I haven't seen for a while," he said.
The Warriors are tipped to be pushing for the finals after just missing out last year and being bolstered by some significant signings.
"We haven't seen everyone together but we like the mix that we have at the moment," Harris said when asked about how he feels the squad is taking shape.
"(But) It's not just going to click just like that. We've got a lot of hard work to get through and not a lot of time to do it but I think everyone being together in Tamworth is going to help and hopefully we can get a lot of good work in."
Unable to leave the Scully Park premises during their time in Tamworth last year, Harris is looking forward to being able to get out and about this time round.
"We were really looked after last time so it's great to be able to repay Tamworth," he said.
"A lot of the players are looking forward to seeing a bit more of the town and having a bit more freedom this year but again we still have to be smart within the rules that are given to us."
CEO Cameron George said with the "unique circumstances" they have found themselves in, the first priority is getting the group to gel.
"You do that in a number of different ways. We'll have culture nights and other team activities and so forth," he said
"Every day will have something new and creative about it and the players will really enjoy it."
