Rookie Warriors hooker Nathaniel Roache didn't have to venture far from home to get some quality advice ahead of his Telstra Premiership debut last weekend.
Nineteen-year-old Roache's partner is Jamie-Lee Price, daughter of former Warriors captain and Maroons bookend Steve Price.
And while the former Mt Albert Grammar student doesn't make a habit out of talking footy with Price, he admits he cherished every bit of advice which was passed down ahead of his first run with the NRL side.
"I don't see him too much because he is living up in Waipu (around two hours north of Auckland), but when he is down he always gives me advice and we talk a bit of footy," Roache said.
"He pretty much just focuses on the defensive area with me because he played in the middle and he liked to run at hookers and that's where I am playing.
"He just told me to prepare well and try to be aggressive in the middle."
On the field Roache has gained another valuable advisor this year in Kiwi international rake Issac Luke, who has taken him under his wing since arriving in Auckland from the Rabbitohs.
"He has been mentoring me exceptionally well and just giving me advice on all areas of the game," Roache said.
"It's really a privilege for me to work with him and try and improve my game.
"My debut was definitely quick for me, I didn't get on for that long but it was a good experience for me.
"I didn't get on until something like the 60th minute so my anxiety was just building. I got out there and even though we were down I just wanted to have a crack and that's what I did.
"I was lucky enough to get on when we actually started to gain some momentum. I thought we could have had a crack (at winning) at the end, but it was just a bit unfortunate.
"I was happy with my defensive areas, I held my ground and didn't miss any tackles and that was a big area for me."
Meanwhile Warriors second-rower Ben Henry had surgery today to repair his badly damaged patella, which he injured 20 minutes into the 34-26 loss to the Tigers in Round 1.
The Warriors confirmed on Wednesday Henry had suffered a broken patella, but no further damage as was initially reported. Coach Andrew McFadden said despite this, it wasn't looking good for the 24-year-old utility who has already undergone two knee reconstructions.
"I can't confirm the timeframe but I can tell you it's going to be a while... All of us at the club are bitterly disappointed for Ben," McFadden said.
"I have got no doubt it's a big concern for him. He has had to endure major operations and to go into another one… That's going to be tough for him.
"We will get around him, he's a great kid and he has got a very level head, and he has done it before."
